dubai vacation travel guide

Dubai Itinerary for up to 7 Days (+Map & Planning Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: June 3, 2024

Visiting Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for the first time and wondering how to plan your trip so that you can see most of the top sights in Dubai?

What are the ‘must-sees’? How many days do you need? And how to plan your time so that you can make the most out of your trip, no matter the duration…

In this guide, we share  a recommended Dubai itinerary for 7 days.  Why 7? Because this is about the minimum amount of time you need if you want to see most of the top places in Dubai, take a day trip to Abu Dhabi (must-do!), and keep your trip somewhat relaxed and enjoyable.

Our suggested one-week Dubai itinerary is described below in detail, including the map indicating all the top sights and attractions. We also included our experience-based tips to help you with the practical side of planning a trip (such as which tickets to pre-book in order to avoid disappointment).

If your trip is shorter and you have less than a week in Dubai, you can simply adjust our recommended Dubai itinerary based on your interests and the time that you have. To make it easier to decide what to see, we listed the very best places and top attractions first. So for example, with three days in Dubai, follow the itinerary described on days 1, 2, and 3. With 5 days in Dubai, follow the recommendations for the first 5 days, etc.

Of course, you can also ‘mix and match’, pick the activities that interest you the most, switch the days around, and plan your own perfect trip. Use this just as inspiration for the top places to see and what can actually be done in Dubai in a week. And if your trip is shorter, you can also find some suggestions for half a day, a day or two in our guide on planning a stopover in Dubai .

Dubai Itinerary Overview & Map

Here you can see our recommended Dubai itinerary in a nutshell as well as the map indicating all the top sights mentioned in our article.

Further below, you can find a detailed day-by-day itinerary with more info, tips, and photos. It will give you a better idea of what to expect and how to plan your time so that you can see the very best of Dubai in a week or less.

This is our recommended 7-day itinerary for your first trip to Dubai:

• DAY 1: Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa) + Museum of the Future
• DAY 2: Old Dubai + Desert Tour
• DAY 3: Burj Al Arab, The Palm, Marina
• DAY 4: Abu Dhabi Day Trip
• DAY 5: Dubai Miracle Garden + Global Village or IMG Worlds of Adventure
• DAY 6: Waterpark (or an alternative day trip)
• DAY 7: Dubai Frame + AYA Universe + iFly Dubai

Good to know: In this itinerary, we grouped the best places to see in Dubai and top activities based on their location and the time that you need in order to visit them and to travel in between. Traffic can be really busy, so it’s important to keep that in mind when planning your Dubai sightseeing itinerary! For more tips, be sure to also read our Dubai travel tips .

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Practical Info & Planning Tips

Here is some practical information to help to plan your trip to Dubai:

Getting around: The cheapest and fastest way to cover big distances in Dubai is the metro. However, depending on where you are staying/going, a taxi is a very good and affordable option as well. See our guide to Dubai public transport for more info.

Renting a car is quite affordable, but parking can be a real hassle in Dubai. Plus, most guided tours include pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation, so renting a car is not a must.

Where to stay: For a short trip to Dubai with sightseeing as the main focus, stay close to Dubai Mall (e.g. Sofitel Dubai Downtown ). If you are staying for a week or longer, consider the Dubai Marina area (e.g. JW Marriott Hotel Marina ) or Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) near the Marina (e.g. Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach ).

Our experience: We tend to stay on the beach when visiting Dubai. Once we stayed at Doubletree by Hilton JBR Beach , and recently we stayed at Rove La Mer Beach Hotel which is at the beach, but also close to the Dubai Mall area. This area is still under development but has a very hip and relaxed feeling.

Tickets and tours: If you wonder whether you need to pre-book anything/everything, my advice is simple: if you don’t want to miss it, be sure to book it in advance. Tickets to the most popular attractions in Dubai often sell out, some even weeks upfront. And even if you can get them on the spot, they are usually (a lot) more expensive than online. For tours, it depends. Usually, you should be able to book last minute, but if you find a tour you like, just reserve it.

Good to know: Most of the attraction tickets and tours we recommend can be booked via the GetYourGuide website which offers very flexible cancelation so you have nothing to lose. This is the website we personally used for all our tickets and tours in Dubai. In our detailed day-to-day itinerary below, you can find more information about tickets and tours that we recommend.

Please note that all the hours in our itinerary are only indicated for your reference so that you have a better idea of how much time approximately you need everywhere. Don’t forget to foresee plenty of buffer time between the attractions that work with timed entry slots!

Museum of the Future – Sky Views Observatory – Dubai Mall – Burj Khalifa – Dubai Fountains.

Day 1 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Museum of the Future – timed entry tickets (book at least a few weeks in advance!).
• Sky Views – timed entry tickets or tickets + Edge Walk .
• Burj Khalifa – timed entry tickets (book well in advance!).
• Optional: Burj Lake boat ride , Dubai Aquarium .

Good to know: Some of these attractions can also be booked together, as a combo deal. For example, Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium ticket can save you about $20 per person. You can find more options and bundle deals here .

Here’s what your first day in Dubai could look like:

Museum of The Future

9.30 – 11.30 AM.

Start your day with one of the most popular attractions in Dubai – the Museum of the Future . The iconic building is one of the most remarkable landmarks of Dubai and the museum is the most sought-after ticket in the UAE.

A visit to this museum gives you a peek into the future of space travel and climate change, but also health, robotics, and AI. With lots of interactive displays, it’s an interesting place that the whole family will enjoy. But frankly, a lot depends on your expectations – some people love it, others say it’s over-hyped. Either way, it’s worth visiting even if just for the remarkable architecture.

PRO TIP: Book your tickets for this museum well in advance. They are usually sold out at least 2-3 weeks upfront. In addition, if you want to be able to pick a time slot as well, you really should book at least a month in advance.

Practical info: The museum is open from early morning and you will need a couple of hours for a visit. So ideally you start your day here and keep the afternoon for the Dubai Mall area. Booking the first time slot is also the best way to enjoy the exhibits without a big crowd!

12 – 1.30 PM

Next, take a metro to Dubai Mall. It’s just two metro stops from the Museum of the Future and as you exit the station, you’ll be right at the next place we recommend visiting – Sky Views. Alternatively, you can also take a taxi, just be sure to ask them to drop you off at the right place depending on what you decide to visit first (the Dubai Mall area is huge!).

Sky Views is an observatory at 720 ft (219.5 meters), offering some of the best 360° views of Downtown Dubai. From here, you have an unparalleled view of the iconic Burj Khalifa, which is located just nearby but also at a nice distance to admire it to the fullest.

In addition to the viewing platform, there is also a glass-bottom walkway , a bit like at Dubai Frame (more about it on day 7 of this itinerary).

Plus, all tickets include one go on the Sky Glass Slide , a short transparent tube that ‘floats’ at the side of the building. Don’t worry – it’s not nearly as exciting as it sounds, and frankly, I’m still not sure if I would queue for it for almost an hour again… But if it’s not too busy, be sure to give it a try. It’s fun!

Good to know: At an additional cost, you can get a ticket that includes the Sky Edge Walk . Attached with a harness, you walk on an open platform on the 52nd floor. This looks so cool and could easily become one of the best experiences you do in Dubai.

Since one of our kids has a serious fear of heights, I couldn’t try the Sky Edge yet (on the most recent trip, I was in Dubai alone with the children, so hanging on the side of a building while the kids waited inside wasn’t really an option ;)). But if you are up for it, give it a try – it looks amazing and everyone we talked to who did it was very enthusiastic.

Talking about heights, the same kid was totally ok with the glass slide, but he wouldn’t step on a glass-bottom walkway… Go figure…

Practical information: Book timed-entry tickets (with or without the Sky Edge Walk option) in advance. To be on the safe side, give yourself at least half an hour to get to Sky Views Observatory from the Museum of the Future. The metro ride is just 3 minutes, but you also need to walk to the metro and find your way around the Dubai Mall station, etc.

AFTERNOON + EVENING.

Next, time to visit the famous Dubai Mall . Inside, you will find plenty of places for lunch . From fine dining options and pricier restaurants overlooking Dubai Fountains to lower-budget fast-food chains, the choice is overwhelming.

The entrance to Burj Khalifa is also located here, at the lower level of the Mall. Depending on your preference for daytime or nighttime views and/or which time slot you can get for Burj Khalifa (more info below), you can explore the Dubai Mall first or after visiting the tower.

The Dubai Mall complex is so huge and has so much to offer that you could easily spend an entire day and still not see part of it! In addition to hundreds of stores and restaurants, you will also find all kinds of family-friendly attractions here, including an indoor ice skating rink, KidZania , MirrorMaze, cinemas, indoor playgrounds, and many others.

TIP: Do not miss the Dubai Mall Waterfall and Dubai Aquarium. Both can be admired for free, but if you want to visit the aquarium inside, you’ll need a ticket (and it’s really expensive for what it is and even worse if you didn’t think to get your tickets online…). So if you want to visit here, consider this combo ticket with Burj Khalifa (and book in advance!).

Good to know: Dubai Mall is huge and overwhelming for a first-time visitor. There are multiple levels, interconnected with countless staircases and elevators, plus multiple entrances and exits. So foresee plenty of time for everything and don’t plan too many attractions on the same day. Or do the things you absolutely want to do first and then see if you still have time and energy left for the rest.

Burj Khalifa

The highest building in the world, Burj Khalifa is the most popular tourist attraction in Dubai. While you can admire this iconic building from outside as much as you like, you will need a ticket to visit the ‘At the Top’ experience.

There are several options for which levels you can visit, and ticket prices vary depending on that, but also on the time of the day when you come.

The standard ticket includes levels 124 and 125 and gives you access to unparalleled 360° views over Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. You can also opt for this ticket that includes levels 124 and 125 as well as lunch or dinner at Rooftop, The Burj Club.

PRO TIP: We recommend getting this ticket that includes access to SKY Level 148 (in addition to standard levels). This ticket also gives you priority access to security and the elevator, which will save you a lot of time and stress. That’s worth a higher price in itself. It also includes an introductory tour with a guest ambassador and access to the lounge with snacks and hot drinks (except during the daytime in the month of Ramadan).

Practical information: The busiest and most expensive time to visit Burj Khalifa is ‘around’ sunset, which in practice means the entire late afternoon. For example, if the sunset is at 6.30 PM, ticket prices are higher between 3 PM and sunset time… But if you only enter at 6.30, the sun will long be gone by the time you get to the top, so I see no point in paying more for the time slots that are too close to the actual sunset time…

TIP: If you want to enjoy daytime views, the sunset, and night views, book a time slot about 1.5-2 hours before the sunset. That way, you should be able to get to the top in time, even if there are long queues. Alternatively, as already said before, get priority tickets which will save you a lot of queueing.

Dubai Fountains & Burj Lake Boat Ride

+-15-30 MINUTES.

No trip to Dubai would be complete without seeing the famous Dubai Fountains show at Burj Lake . You can find these fountains outside of the Dubai Mall, at the foot of Burj Khalifa.

While this area is always nice to explore and walk around, the best time to be here is in the evening, when you can see a musical show and the fountains dancing with the backdrop of Burj Khalifa.

The fountain schedule is as follows: daily at 1 PM and 1.30 PM, plus every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. On Fridays, there is no show at 1 PM, but there is one at 2 PM. The shows are always slightly different and if you come here in the evening, you’ll likely catch a few of them.

TIP: In addition to seeing the fountains from land, you can also opt for a short scenic boat ride on Burj Lake . These boats also give you a front-row seat during a fountain show. It looks very touristy, but the kids wanted to do it on our recent trip and we all enjoyed it more than I expected. It’s quite affordable for Dubai standards and we all found that it was well worth it. It’s also a nice way to rest your legs a bit after all the sightseeing.

Spend the rest of your day/evening in the Dubai Mall area. Afterward, take a metro or a taxi back to your hotel.

Good to know: The taxi and Uber stands at the Dubai Mall are located at one of the underground levels, quite far from the Dubai Fountains, and are very confusing to find (plus, the taxi stand is not the same as the one for Uber).

So if you want to call it a day after visiting the fountains, simply walk to any public road on either side of Burj Lake and call a taxi from there – it’s so much easier! For example, there is a taxi drop-off point on the main road behind the Dubai Opera.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood – Dubai Creek – Traditional Souks – Dubai Desert.

Day 2 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Old Dubai – we recommend visiting with a guided tour .
• Dubai Desert tour – there are many options including various activities .

When you think of Dubai, you probably associate it with skyscrapers and all the iconic modern-day landmarks. However, no trip to Dubai would be complete without exploring its old town and the desert.

So on your second day, we recommend that you spend some time getting to know the more traditional side of Dubai.

Here is what your day could look like:

9.30 AM – 12.30 PM.

In the morning, take a couple of hours to explore the Old Dubai.

Start at the nicely restored Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood . Here, you can find several low-key museums and a few traditional restaurants, but the best thing to do is simply walk around the area. Here, you will find a completely different Dubai, as it used to look in the not-so-distant past.

Afterward, take a ride on a traditional Abra boat to the northern side of Dubai Creek. Here, you will find the two most popular traditional markets in Dubai: the Spice Souk and Gold Souk .

TIP: We recommend visiting this area with a local guide . Not only because it’s easier and you don’t need to plan anything, but it’s also a nice way to get to know more about the history of the UAE and learn about local traditions and customs. Plus, you can get some tips for haggling at the markets.

Good to know: There are many tours that visit the Old Town. They all cover pretty much the same places, including the boat ride. Most tours take about 3 hours, are very affordable, and have great reviews. The main difference is that some of them include some/more local food and drinks.

Frankly, it’s really hard to choose a tour. I wasted hours reading descriptions and reviews and was still none the wiser… So save yourself the trouble and just pick any highly-rated tour that suits your itinerary and you should be fine.

In the end, we chose this guided tour because it includes quite a lot of local food at one of the best traditional restaurants (in addition to the markets and other sights that all tours visit). But if you are less interested in food and more in the area, you can find plenty of cheaper tours as well. Most of them include at least one local snack too.

On our first visit to Dubai many years ago, we opted for a bit longer city tour that included a few other areas as well. The old town part of both these tours was very similar.

After visiting the old town, get back to your hotel and take some time to relax and enjoy the pool. Depending on the location of your hotel, which desert tour you booked, and the pick-up time for the tour, you should have a couple of hours of free time.

Good to know: When booking a tour that includes a pick-up/drop-off at your accommodation, keep in mind, that they will usually pick you up about 30-45 minutes before the official starting time. If you book tours online, they will usually reach out to you via WhatsApp either the evening before or in the morning.

TIP: Don’t eat too much for lunch if you book a desert tour that includes a BBQ dinner. There is so much food on these tours (and it’s delicious) – you won’t be hungry. Plus, if you opt for a dune-bashing in a jeep, it’s better that you haven’t eaten too much just before that…

Desert Safari

3 – 10 PM.

A visit to the desert is another experience that should be in any Dubai itinerary. No matter which tour you choose, you are in for a good time, but be sure to read tour descriptions so that you know what exactly to expect!

There are  many desert tour options , either about 4 or 7 hours. Unless you want to go on a hot air balloon (in which case it will likely be in the morning), we recommend looking into afternoon/evening tours that include a BBQ dinner.

On these longer tours, there is usually one main activity, such as a 4×4 dune safari in a jeep, a quad bike ride, or a camel ride. The rest of the time is spent in a Bedouin camp where you can find all kinds of different experiences (sandboarding, taking pictures with falcons or camels, traditional dance shows, henna painting, etc.) which are all included with the tour.

The food on these tours is usually very good and plentiful. Water is included and most of the time, soft drinks and local warm beverages are included as well.

Our experience:  We have been on two different desert tours in Dubai (on different trips). They were both evening tours including dinner, had very similar itineraries, and were both very good. The main activity on  the first tour we did was dune bashing in a jeep. Other activities included sandboarding, a very short camel ride, a traditional Tanoura dance show, etc.

On a recent trip, we opted for  this highly-rated tour . The main activity this time was a 45-minute camel ride. Other activities included taking pictures with falcons, henna tattoos, shisha pipe, traditional dance shows, a fire show, etc.

Good to know: Just like with the old town tours, there are so many desert tour options that it can be overwhelming to pick one. First, decide what you want to do – for example, quad biking , a camel ride , etc. Then, read the description so that you know what’s included. For example, many tours include a short camel ride (for a picture), but only very few do a longer trek through the desert.

In general, all these tours are quite similar, and – at least in our experience – very good. Just be sure you know what you are booking so that you don’t end up on a quad bike while you were expecting to sit on a camel…

Burj Al Arab – Souk Madinat Jumeirah – The Palm – JBR Beach – Dubai Marina.

Day 3 – some ideas for activities on this day:

• Inside tour or a Royal Suites tour + gold cappuccino .
• The View at The Palm Observatory
• Sightseeing Helicopter Ride
• Luxury Yacht Sightseeing Tour .
• Zip Line Across Marina .
• Marina E-scooter Tour .

On your third day in Dubai, we recommend visiting the area around Burj Al Arab, The Palm, and Dubai Marina and potentially also the nearby JBR Beach .

If you just walk around without visiting many attractions, then you can easily see all these places in a day. If, however, you opt for any of the activities, you will have to adjust your itinerary depending on the place/time of whatever you decide to do.

There are a lot of attractions that you can choose from on this day, but none of them are ‘must-do’. So a lot depends on your interests and budget. Also, don’t book too many different activities at different locations for the same day, and keep traffic in mind.

Here is what your third day in Dubai could look like:

Burj Al Arab & Souk Madinat Jumeirah

+-10 AM – 1 PM.

The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Dubai. It’s renowned as one of the world’s most luxurious hotels with lavish interiors and extravagant experiences.

You can just see the hotel from the outside, or you can also book a tour of the interior . If you want to get a taste of true luxury, upgrade to this luxury tour which includes their world-famous gold cappuccino and a visit to the 25th floor where you can see the Royal Suites.

Set against the backdrop of the Burj Al Arab, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a bustling souk with traditional Middle Eastern charm. This area also has some picturesque waterways offering nice views of the Burj Al Arab.

Good to know: Depending on what you decide to do in this area, you can visit both places in about half an hour. If you book one of the tours, you’ll need at least 2 hours. In that case, we recommend booking the earliest tour, at 10 AM, and having lunch at the souk.

+- 1.30 – 3 PM.

The Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island shaped like a giant palm tree. Stretching into the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, The Palm is connected to the mainland with bridges and tunnels. The island is home to a large number of luxurious hotels and opulent residences.

One of the most famous attractions here is Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis Hotel, but since you need at least a day for it, we recommend visiting the water park separately – see day 6 of our itinerary.

On this day, I would just focus on sightseeing. The best place to be is The View at The Palm Observatory from where you can enjoy nice 360° views including a good overview of this unique island. Alternatively, for even better aerial views, you can also opt for a sightseeing tour by helicopter .

If you are looking for nice views and want to relax at the pool, you could also check out the Aura Skypool . Keep in mind that no kids are allowed and that you will need to reserve a specific time slot in advance.

Good to know: Also here, the timing will depend on the activities you choose to do. If you just visit The Palm Observatory (and prebook timed entry tickets in advance!), 1 – 1.5 hours should be sufficient. A helicopter tour takes less time and is better organized, but you also need to arrive a bit earlier, etc. so to be on the safe side, I’d plan about an hour as well.

Dubai Marina

LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING.

Next, head to Dubai Marina , just 10 minutes drive from The Palm. Or – if you want to make the most out of your day – visit Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR Beach) first and then the Marina after that (the two areas are just next to each other).

The JBR – Marina Beach has a very nice waterfront area with access to a public beach and many cafes and restaurants. In the distance, you can also see the Dubai Eye (Ain Dubai), the world’s largest Ferris wheel. However, it’s been closed for years. The area is nice, but since it’s on a separate ‘island’, you would need quite a lot of extra time to visit there.

Dubai Marina is one of the nicest walkable areas to explore in Dubai. There is not one specific place that you ‘must’ see here and the best thing is to simply walk around along the Marina Walk (see our map for details). On the way, you can also visit the Marina Mall . Alternatively, consider joining a guided e-scooter tour – it’s a great way to see a lot of this vast area without having to walk.

In addition, there are quite a lot of activities that you can do at Dubai Marina. The most popular are luxury yacht sightseeing tours . If you are interested in water sports, you can go jet skiing or parasailing . Adrenaline seekers will love the zip line across the Marina …

TIP: Dubai Marina is also very nice in the evening. The atmosphere is great, there are lots of good restaurants, etc. So no matter how you plan this day of your Dubai itinerary, I recommend that you end it at the Marina. Scenic boat cruises in the dark are also really great, offering wonderful night-time views of the Marina skyline.

Good to know: We recommend at least an hour or two for the Marina Walk. In addition, boat tours in this area are really worth your time and some of them can take 2-3 hours. All in all, I would plan a good half a day in this area.

Day 4 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Abu Dhabi day tour – there are tons of options .

No trip to Dubai would be complete without visiting Abu Dhabi , the capital city of the UAE. It’s about 1.5- 2 hours drive from Dubai, so doable as a day trip.

Just to be clear – there is a lot more to see and do in Abu Dhabi than you could possibly see in a day.

Half a day tour is a good option if you are really short on time and just want to visit the main landmark – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. But with a week in Dubai, you could definitely spare a day. So we recommend taking a full-day tour to Abu Dhabi. That way, you can see several other places and get a much better idea of what Abu Dhabi is like.

Abu Dhabi Day Trip

Our experience: We booked this highly-rated day tour and I can highly recommend it. It’s one of the most complete Abu Dhabi tours I could find.

It includes a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Etihad Towers observation deck, and the Royal Palace, Qasr Al Watan.

For more information, the best tour options, and tips for planning a day trip to Abu Dhabi, please see our detailed guide via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Abu Dhabi Day Tour From Dubai

Days 1-4 of our recommended Dubai itinerary include most of the must-sees. But there are quite a few other attractions that are also very popular and considered ‘must do’. However, I find that a lot depends on who you are traveling with, what your interests are, and also on your budget.

Anyway, to help you plan your time, we highlight several of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai on days 5-7 of this itinerary. We grouped them taking into account their location so that you can make the most out of your time. Take a look below!

Day 5 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Dubai Miracle Garden – ticket .
• Global Village – tickets .
• Optional: Dubai Butterfly Garden .
• Alternative for families: IMG Worlds of Adventure .

Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village are located very close to each other and can be easily visited on the same day/evening. There are also tours/private transfers that can bring you to both places (in about 6 hours).

Good to know: The Miracle Garden is open from 9 AM until 9 PM (11 PM on weekends) so could be visited at any time. However, Global Village is only open from 4 PM (6 PM during Ramadan) until midnight (1 AM on weekends). Furthermore, Tuesdays are reserved for families and women.

TIP: You could spend a good part of this day at the pool/beach and only do sightseeing in the late afternoon/evening. Or, if you absolutely want to make the most out of your time, you could also visit the Dubai Butterfly Garden which is located just next to Miracle Garden.

Alternatively, families might enjoy a visit to IMG Worlds of Adventure , one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world. The tickets are pricey so if you opt for this, you’ll likely want to spend the whole day here.

Miracle Garden

+- 1-2 HOURS.

Miracle Garden Dubai is a huge floral wonderland with over 150 million flowers. It boasts a breathtaking array of meticulously crafted floral displays, sculptures, castles, and all kinds of structures, all adorned with millions – yes, millions – of blooming flowers.

Some of their sculptures have won various Guinness World Records. You probably already get the vibe in the UAE – everything is big, bigger, the biggest… This impressive garden is no exception. They even have a flowery version of the Emirates A380 airbus, covered in more than 500,000 fresh flowers and plants. 

However, remember that you are in the middle of a desert so it’s difficult to keep most plants alive in a climate like this. That’s probably the reason why the overwhelming majority of flowers are petunias, in just a few different colors.

Good to know: Book tickets in advance and count about 1-2 hours for a visit here. The morning hours are the quietest, but if you want to visit Global Village as well, then it’s best to come in the afternoon and visit both places together.

Global Village

+- 3-4 HOURS.

Global Village Dubai offers an immersive cultural experience taking you on a journey ‘around the world’. The name pretty much says it all – it’s a place where you can experience different cultures while exploring pavilions, each representing another country.

Over 90 countries are represented, showcasing their unique heritage, traditions, products, and traditional foods. From sampling diverse cuisines to shopping for handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs from around the globe, there’s something for everyone. In addition, they also have live performances, cultural shows, carnival rides, etc.

Good to know: Global Village is one of the most affordable attractions in Dubai and regular tickets cost just a few bucks. However, this is just a ticket to get inside and you’ll have to pay extra for most of the attractions – a bit like visiting a country fair. Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours here.

TIP: Global Village is one of the most visited attractions in Dubai, popular with locals as well as international tourists. So avoid weekends and try to be at the entrance a bit before it opens because it quickly fills up. Friday and Saturday evenings can get crazy busy.

Day 6 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Atlantis Aquaventure – various ticket options .
• Wild Wadi – entry ticket .
• Dubai LEGOLAND – water park or theme park .

Alternative ideas for this day:

• Snorkeling day trip to Fujairah .
• Al Ain ‘Garden City’ day trip .
• Half-day camel trekking .
• Half-day falconry safari .

If you have a week in Dubai, we highly recommend visiting at least one of the water parks, especially if you are traveling with children or teenagers and there’s only that much sightseeing they can handle in the hot desert climate.

But no worries if you are not interested in spending a day on water slides, there are tons of other amazing things to do in and near Dubai. In that case, see our alternative suggestions above . For more info about waterparks – see below.

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark & Lost Chambers Aquarium

There are several water parks in Dubai. By far the best and most popular is Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm , the biggest water park in the world. With over 100 rides and attractions, Aquaventure has something to offer for the whole family. You can also meet dolphins and sea lions, and enjoy all kinds of water sports. In addition, you can visit the Lost Chambers Aquarium which is located just near the water park entrance.

Wild Wadi and LEGOLAND Water Park are also nice water parks. They are much smaller, with about 30 rides and attractions at Wild Wadi and about 20 at LEGOLAND.

These water parks are nice for families with younger kids and are incomparably less busy than Aquaventure. But if you want to experience the very best waterpark in Dubai, Aquaventure wins every time.

Good to know: You can spend the entire day at any of these water parks.

PRO TIP: Atlantis Aquaventure tickets are cheaper if booked online and over a week in advance. We recommend a combo ticket that includes entry to the Lost Chambers Aquarium (it’s open late in the evening so you can easily visit after you leave the water park). For more tips and helpful information for your visit, see our detailed guide via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Tips & Tricks for Visiting Atlantis Aquaventure

Day 7 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Dubai Frame – timed-entry tickets .
• AYA Universe – timed-entry tickets .
• Optional: iFly Dubai and/or Green Planet Indoor Rainforest .

On the last day of this itinerary, I want to highlight some additional experiences that we personally really enjoyed on a recent trip to Dubai. They are located not too far from each other in the northern part of the city (not too far from the airport) and could be done on the same day.

If you want to take it easy on your last day in Dubai, you could also just visit one or two of these attractions and spend the rest of the time chilling by the pool.

The two places that we recommend the most are Dubai Frame and AYA Universe. Our kids also LOVED iFly Dubai , but it’s located quite a bit further away and is probably also not for everyone’s interests. The Green Planet indoor rainforest is also amazing (and definitely not just for kids). You can find more info about each of these below.

Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame cannot be missed (quite literally). You will see this architectural landmark towering in the city skyline when driving around the city and from many other places. But if you want to visit it, you’ll need to allocate a few hours.

Looking like a gigantic picture frame, this iconic structure consists of two vertical towers connected by a glass-bottomed bridge. From its observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic 360° views of the city’s evolving skyline on one side and the historical old town on the other.

The views are ok but – in our opinion – not as good as from the other observation platforms which we mentioned earlier in this itinerary. Still, we found a visit here quite worth it, because the building itself is truly remarkable.

Good to know: Depending on how busy it is, you’ll need 1-2 hours for a visit. Be sure to book tickets online or you may not be able to enter at all (we saw a few disappointed families turned away at the entrance). Even with timed tickets, the queues are still long, especially in the afternoon. So if you want to visit without wasting too much time, I recommend booking an early morning time slot.

AYA Universe

One of the more recent attractions in Dubai, we stumbled upon AYA Universe by coincidence. And so glad we decided to visit because it became one of our favorite experiences in the city!

It’s difficult to describe this unique attraction. It’s like stepping into a dreamy world with captivating light displays and mesmerizing high-tech experiences. If anything, I could compare it to the worlds you see in Avatar movies. A colorful, fairytale-like universe that guarantees lots of positive emotions. Recommended!

AYA Universe is located inside WAFI City Mall. The interior of this shopping center is inspired by an Egyptian theme and is quite interesting to see as well.

Good to know: Count about 45 minutes for a visit here, an hour if you also want to walk around the Mall (it’s very small compared to most others in Dubai). Book your tickets online if you want to be able to visit AYA Universe at a specific time slot. There were just a few people when we arrived here in the morning but quickly got much busier. It’s a rather small facility and I think they cap the number of visitors that are allowed inside at the same time.

iFly Dubai is an indoor skydiving center located in Mirdif City Centre Mall. This is your chance to experience skydiving in a safe and controlled environment. Btw, they have the real thing in Dubai too – see skydiving tours here .

Before you start, you get a short training session explaining some basic techniques. The regular experience includes two 1-minute flights. It may not sound like much, but they say that when you leap from a plane when actually skydiving, the free-fall time is even shorter than a minute.

Good to know: They work with time slots and allow about 10 people per half an hour, so it’s best to book in advance . iFly Dubai says that it’s suitable for all ages. Most people in our group were children and teens, but also a few adults. Count about an hour for the whole experience.

Despite the name, City Centre Mirdif Mall is not located in the center at all. It’s actually quite a drive from most other attractions in Dubai (about 15-20 minutes from Dubai Frame or AYA Universe). This shopping center is quite big and has many nice restaurants, so you can also have lunch here.

The Green Planet

+- 2 HOURS.

The Green Planet is an indoor rainforest featuring several thousand tropical plants and a variety of birds and animals freely roaming inside. If you’ve ever been to a rainforest in Costa Rica , the plants and the animals you can see here are similar.

The Green Planet has several sloths, squirrel monkeys, and all kinds of reptiles. You can also visit a bat cave, see all kinds of colorful birds, and admire the world’s largest man-made and life-sustaining tree.

It’s particularly nice for families with children but is very enjoyable for adults as well. Recommended.

Good to know: The Green Planet is located next to the City Walk Mall in the center, not far from the Dubai Mall area. You can get tickets online . Plan about 2 hours for a visit. The Green Planet closes at 6 PM (much earlier than most other attractions), so keep this in mind when deciding which places to visit on this day and in which order.

So, this sums up our recommended Dubai itinerary. As you can see, there’s A LOT to experience in Dubai and a week will fly by before you know it.

The nice thing about planning a trip to Dubai is that it has such a wide variety of activities and attractions allowing you to personalize your trip and find something that everyone in your group/family will enjoy.

I hope that our suggested itinerary gives you some inspiration on what to see and do in Dubai and helps you plan a perfect holiday.

READ ALSO: What to Wear in Dubai

More info & travel inspiration for Dubai:

• Dubai Travel Tips
• How Expensive is Dubai
• Dubai Public Transport
• Dubai in February
• Best Things to Do in Dubai
• Best Tours in Dubai
• Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai
• Best Things to Do in Dubai with Kids
• Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dubai
• Interesting Facts About Dubai

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Dubai   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Dubai

Dubai and Las Vegas have a lot in common. Both cities share a love for the fantastical, with skylines that shine like beacons against barren desert backdrops. People from all over the world flock to these shimmering oases with the same goal: to play hard. But as a vacation spot, Dubai easily trumps ol' Sin City thanks to its gorgeous cream-colored Persian Gulf shoreline (which in the UAE you'll see and hear referred to as the Arabian Gulf), international culinary scene and larger-than-life attractions. And the city's still growing; plans are always underway for something bigger and better. At one point, it was alleged that a quarter of the world's construction cranes could be found here. If that's any sign, even the sky may not be able to limit Dubai's growth.

Dubai is a city of superlatives, home to the world's tallest tower , one of the world's largest shopping malls and one of the world's largest human-made marinas. On a smaller scale, this emirate is still tied to its days as a modest port town. Traditional wooden abras (boats) float past motorboats on Dubai Creek, the natural sands of Jumeirah's beaches look toward the carefully sculpted Palm Jumeirah and the bustling gold and spice souks (marketplaces) thrive amid the retro atmosphere of Dubai's Creekside neighborhoods. Despite constantly looking to the future, this city isn't quick to let go of its past. It's this dynamic that not only put Dubai on the tourist map, but will also keep it there.

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Dubai Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Dubai is from November to March. Weather-wise, Dubai really only experiences two seasons: hot and hotter. During the winter months, the city sees blue skies and primo beach weather. However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect plenty of company on Jumeirah's beaches. You can escape the crowds if you visit during the summer months, but be prepared for triple-digit temps and high humidity levels (it's only a "dry" heat in the winter).

Visiting Dubai during Islamic holidays is a special experience, but note that dates for these holidays change annually, based on the lunar cycle. The major Islamic holidays in Dubai include the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), Hijri (Islamic new year) and the Prophet Mohammad's birthday. An Islamic calendar can be found here , but it is important to understand that the exact date(s) may not be confirmed until a moon phase is sighted by the moon-sighting committee to call the official start of these holidays.

Keep in mind: Islamic holidays may impact business hours during your trip. Hours may be shorter and the nightlife scene may also be a bit quieter compared to other months of the year. Between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat, drink or smoke. The dates for Ramadan are variable since they follow the lunar calendar.

Weather in Dubai

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

You'll feel safe here Dubai is one of — if not the — safest destination in the Middle East. The city's population stems from countries across the globe, and everyone coexists peacefully.

Fashion conscious Although some 75% of the UAE's residents are practicing Muslims, the multicultural and cosmopolitan attitude of Dubai means that in many places you can dress as you do in the U.S., although with a heightened sense of fashion.

What not to wear You'll find conservative attire to be more the norm in older neighborhoods such as Deira and Bur Dubai. When visiting these areas or any religious sites such as a mosque, women should cover their knees and shoulders and men should wear trousers and a long-sleeve shirt.

Too much sun can be a bad thing Dubai's visitors often fall in love with the city's warm, sunny climate. However, it can get really hot, and there aren't a lot of shady places in the middle of the desert. Lather on sunscreen, drink plenty of water and wear a hat.

How to Save Money in Dubai

Plan in advance A trip to Dubai will be expensive. But you'll have a better chance at snagging a lower room rate if you make your hotel reservations two to three months in advance.

Visit in the summer Most travelers can't take the heat during this season, leaving little competition for desirable room rates.

Stay sober Alcohol is rarely served outside of restaurants and bars, where prices are about as high as the Burj Khalifa. You'll save big bucks if you skip the drinks.

Culture & Customs

Dubai stands as one of seven emirates (akin to U.S. states) that make up the United Arab Emirates; the other six are Abu Dhabi , Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Each emirate is governed by a ruler from a hereditary Sheikhdom. The ruler of Abu Dhabi acts as president of the Federal Supreme Council (both the UAE's legislative and executive body), while the ruler of Dubai fills the role of vice president. Although Abu Dhabi serves as the official capital of the UAE, Dubai has long been the emirates' commercial and financial hub.

Dubai's s role as a commercial heavyweight attracts expats from around the world. Its population features citizens of 200 different nationalities, and each has left its own imprint on daily life. However, the dominant religion here is Islam, and Muslim culture impacts Dubai's society. As a result, visitors are encouraged to be mindful of how they dress, particularly in more traditional parts of the country. Alcohol-licensed venues are more than plentiful, even outside of hotels. Those who visit during Ramadan (the Islamic month of fasting) are encouraged to refrain from eating or drinking in public places.

Despite its size, Dubai has earned a reputation as being one of the safest places in the Middle East and women visiting should also feel safe to move about freely.

Although the official language is Arabic, Dubai's trade history and booming tourism market means that almost everyone speaks English. American travelers can also rejoice in the fact that most major credit cards are accepted at stores, hotels and restaurants. For those paying in cash, the official currency here is the Emirati dirham (AED) with 1 dirham equal to $0.27. The dirham is pegged to the U.S. dollar, which means the rate does not fluctuate. Cards and digital wallets are accepted most places, but it's smart to have cash on hand when visiting Dubai's traditional souks (markets).

What to Eat

Given the multicultural nature of Dubai you'll find a little bit of everything, although Levantine Middle Eastern fare and Indian cuisine are particularly ample thanks to the city's large Arab and Indian populations. That means you can expect lots of spice and flavor. If you're keen to try traditional Emirati dishes, look for chebab – Emirati pancakes infused with saffron and cardamom and topped with yogurt and date syrup – and harees – a porridge-like dish with meat often served during Ramadan. Arabic coffee ( gahwa ) is an experience in itself, especially for those who often take theirs with cream and sugar. This coffee features roasted beans mixed with cardamom. The ingredients are ground, boiled then strained into an intense brew and served in small cups.

To find more traditional (and more affordable) cuisine, head to Dubai's older neighborhoods, like Deira, Bur Dubai and Satwa, for wide selections of restaurants, cafes, canteens and even walk-up windows serving authentic Indian curries, Arabic mezze, Iranian kebabs and the much-loved shawarma sandwich – a must-try. For something more glam – and potentially acclaimed, as Michelin started awarding stars to Dubai restaurants in 2022 – head to the restaurants in the city's top hotels you'll find high-end, sophisticated dining. Dubai International Financial Centre is a glam neighborhood buzzing with trendy, upscale restaurants. Take a stroll around Jumeirah Lakes Towers neighborhood, opposite Dubai Marina, for mid-range restaurants serving a wide variety of food, from Filipino to Greek.

Getting Around Dubai

The best way to get around Dubai is by taxi or by metro. Although prices are high across the board in Dubai, a taxi here or there won't break the bank. Plus, they provide the freedom to move at your own pace without the hassle of navigating traffic. Dubai's metro system transports passengers to major areas of interest, including Burj Khalifa and the Dubai International Airport (DXB). The airport is about 8.5 miles from Downtown Dubai. You can also rent a car at the airport, but be forewarned: driving here is not for the faint-hearted.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Americans visiting the United Arab Emirates do not require a tourist visa for visits less than 30 days, but must have an official U.S. passport that is valid for at least six months following your arrival date. Travelers must also possess a return ticket or other proof that they will be leaving the UAE within that 30-day timeframe. For visits exceeding 30 days, travelers must obtain a tourist visa prior to departure. Americans exiting the UAE by land transportation will be subject to a departure fee of 35 dirhams (about $9.50), payable only in local currency. For more information, visit the U.S. State Department  website .

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One of Dubai’s most attractive developments, Madinat Jumeirah is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional Arab village, complete with a souq (market…

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This Glamorous Middle Eastern City Has Luxury Hotels, Thrilling Desert Adventures, and Michelin-starred Dining

Here's how to plan the perfect visit to Dubai.

• Best Hotels & Resorts

Best Things to Do

Best shopping, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, neighborhoods to visit, how to get around.

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Dubai is full of contrasts. There's the glittering skyline of skyscrapers so tall they defy imagination. There is the modern collection of stores and eateries, offering every option a traveler could want. And then there are the luxurious hotels, ready to welcome even the most discerning traveler in style and excess. Then there's the desert with its rolling hills of sand stamped with the footprints of Arabian oryx and gazelles; the souks with their labyrinth of stalls, bins overflowing with a rainbow of spices; and the traditional abra boats ferrying riders across the Dubai Creek.

“Dubai is the ideal destination for tourists, and there are a number of reasons why,” Farida Ahmed, a guide and owner of Frying Pan Adventures, told Travel + Leisure . “It is safe, whether you are traveling solo or as a family. That, for me, is one of the most pivotal points on which tourism rests."

The city, one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has sprouted up from its desert port beginnings to become a sprawling metropolis full of vibrant neighborhoods, record-setting buildings, and over-the-top shopping centers all in the last several decades. "There is something for everyone and everyone's pocket — if you’re looking for budget travel you can absolutely do it in Dubai," said Ahmed.

Today, Dubai can be fast and slow at the same time — a place to grab an avocado toast and relax on the beach, a place to appreciate a desert conservation reserve, and a place to shop 'til you drop, all in the same day. It's these contrasts that make Dubai one of the most dynamic and interesting cities in the world.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Armani hotel dubai.

This luxurious hotel is located in one of the most famous buildings in Dubai and the world: the Burj Khalifa. Armani Hotel Dubai takes up the first eight floors as well as the 38th and 39th floors of the world's tallest tower, offering incredible views of the city and the Arabian Gulf below. Rooms are designed by the hotel's namesake, Giorgio Armani, and feature muted colors that will relax any guest after a long day of shopping at nearby The Dubai Mall.

Burj Al Arab

If the Burj Khalifa is the most recognizable building in Dubai, the Burj Al Arab is a close second. Inside this iconic sail-shaped building floating in the middle of The Gulf is one of the most stunning hotels in the city. Each colorful room comes with Hermes amenities and butler service as well as access to the hotel's private beach.

Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa

Set against rolling sand dunes and roaming oryx, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa offers guests an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city with 42 individual suites all with their own private pools overlooking unobstructed views of the pristine desert. During your stay, book a dune drive to get your heart pumping or go on a guided nature walk in the desert. In the morning, sit down to breakfast on the veranda and keep your eyes peeled for a few gazelles popping by to say hello over coffee.

Queen Elizabeth 2

This unique property was once a working cruise ship that has been converted into a hotel , permanently docked in Dubai. The 13-deck ship features 447 refurbished hotel rooms and suites — including the Royal Suite with a large wood-lined private deck — restaurants, a spa, and a theater. History buffs can tour the ship's bridge and see what the cabins looked like in the 1960s before settling in for a leisurely afternoon tea complete with finger sandwiches, traditional cakes, and warm scones with clotted cream.

XVA Art Hotel

XVA Art Hotel is a boutique hotel that feels like stepping back in time with its romantic shaded courtyards, dark wood, and rich textiles. The hotel, which was built in what used to be a home in the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood, has 15 individually designed rooms all located around three courtyards. And don't miss a chance to walk through the hotel's art gallery, which features contemporary art from both established and emerging artists.

Frying Pan Adventures

One of the best ways to experience a place is through its food and these food tours offer to paint visitors a culinary map of Dubai, which Ahmed said has “now established itself as one of the culinary meccas of the world.” Try sweet milky tea in the back alleys of a souk, meat and rice pilaf , stuffed falafels, or learn about the custom of making Arabic coffee while also learning about the history of the city with one of the many female guides. 

Global Village

Dubai's Global Village is unlike anything else, showcasing more than 70 cultures at different country pavilions where visitors can shop, eat, and more. Bring a camera and capture a cool photo "for the 'gram" at one of the "selfie spots" or catch one of the many shows.

Skiing in the desert is possible at Ski Dubai where an indoor slope in the Mall of the Emirates allows ski and snowboard enthusiasts to clip or strap in and hone their skills. Playing in the snow more your thing? Try the twin-track bobsled experience or take some time to hang out with the resident gentoo and king penguins.

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest tower in the world and the view from the top is rightfully spectacular. Take in Dubai's many neighborhoods with this bird's eye view from the 125th floor or book a spot on the world's highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace on the 148th floor. The Burj Khalifa VIP experience includes access to the world’s highest lounge on the 154th floor. 

Ahmed recommended checking the weather forecast before you book a trip up the Burj Khalifa, noting that “if it's not a clear day you are not going to be seeing anything but haze.” For your best chance of a clear view, she noted that “the sky tends to be clearer before sunset.”

Royal Shaheen

Learn all about falconry from a team of professional falconers on a tour with Royal Shaheen — and get the chance to handle some of the magnificent animals yourself. These tours are interactive and family-friendly, and allow guests to learn both traditional and modern falconry training techniques.

The Dubai Mall holds the Guinness World Record for the largest shopping center in the world with more than 1,200 retail outlets, including two major department stores: Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale's. It also has more than 200 food and beverage outlets. Basically, it's so big you could easily get lost for days. The mall even developed its own app with turn-by-turn navigation to help shoppers reach (and return from) their destination. Beyond shopping, the mall has an aquarium and an Olympic-sized ice rink. The vibe and decor change depending on which part of the mall you're in, so plan to spend some time exploring. An added bonus: it's air-conditioned.

Mall of the Emirates

The Mall of the Emirates is slightly smaller than the Dubai Mall, but still features more than 630 brands and more than 100 places to grab a bite. Beyond the stores themselves, visitors will find the city's indoor ski slope and a bowling alley. (If your phone dies while you're shopping, you can borrow a portable charger for free.)

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence

This shopping destination stretches along more than one mile of beachfront and features both international designers and fun pop-up markets. Check out Sauce for beachy and boho-inspired dresses and cool rattan bags before grabbing a bite at one of the restaurants overlooking the gulf.

Textile and Gold Souks

Arnaud_Martinez/Getty Images

Dubai may be known for its modern skyscrapers, but there's another side to the city where traditional souks sell everything from souvenirs to beautiful scarves. Choose from towering racks of fabric at the Textile Souk in the historic Bur Dubai neighborhood or hop across the Dubai Creek to browse endless rows of jewelry stores selling gold bangles and sparkling gems in the Gold Souk . And remember: haggling is all part of the fun.

Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant is part museum and part eatery. The restaurant, which boasts a covered dining courtyard with a tree, has live music, and fresh-made bread, and the staff is dressed in traditional robes. “Do not leave the city without trying Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant," said Ahmed. "It is one of the few restaurants in Old Dubai that's been recognized. The food is great and I love the decor.” The restaurant has earned the Michelin's Bib Gourmand designation.

Al Farooj Al Shami Restaurant

The Syrian fare served at Al Farooj Al Shami is second to none. Grilled meats, fresh-made sauces, and a mouth-watering list of hot appetizers make this local spot one of Ahmed’s must-visits.

Comptoir 102

You'd be forgiven for thinking you were in California or Tulum when you settled into the shaded courtyard of Comptoir 102 . Order an avocado crostini, halloumi salad, or gluten-free buckwheat pancakes, and recharge with a chai latte made with homemade almond milk. After you're done eating at this organic cafe, pop over to the attached concept store where you'll find boho dresses, unique glassware, jewelry, and more.

Al Hadheerah at Bab Al Shams

Dinner at Al Hadheerah is more than just a meal, it's an experience. Ten live cooking stations delight guests as they feast under the stars in the middle of the desert, offering classic dishes like shawarma and lamb ouzi cooked underground as well as salads like hummus and tabbouleh. And don't forget dessert where you can sample favorites like kunafa and baklava. Reservations are recommended.

The best time to visit Dubai is during the winter when the year-round hot weather starts to cool. In general, temperatures start to dip in October and it remains only moderately hot through May. While the hot season is from June to September, it's worth noting that air conditioning is plentiful across Dubai.

“The really amazing months for me are November to February,” said Ahmed, who noted that when winter arrives in Dubai, “we literally crawl out of our hibernation phase and it's all about spending time at the beach and desert BBQs.”

Winter is also when the Dubai Shopping Festival takes place. It's a December and January event that is known for its great deals, live entertainment, and raffles.

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The best way to get into Dubai is by plane. Thousands of flights arrive at Dubai International Airport (DXB) each week, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located in the northern part of the city, making it the best option for travelers who will be staying and playing on the northern side of Dubai.

The newer Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), also known as Dubai World Central, started welcoming travelers in 2013 and is still under construction. The airport provides access to the growing southern end of the city. When it is completed, it will be the world’s largest airport.

Lara Antal/Travel + Leisure

This area is a collection of neighborhoods around Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai) , including Deira and the Al Fahidi historical neighborhood . A stroll through this area — lined with low-profile gypsum, sand, and coral buildings — will give visitors a small taste of what Dubai was like before the modern construction boom. Spend some time exploring the area's souks or hop on an abra for a boat ride along the creek, which used to be the entry to the pearl diving port.

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Jumeirah Beach Residences and Dubai Marina

These neighborhoods, which sit next to each other, form one of the best places to go for a waterfront stroll. Grab a bite to eat with a view of the gulf in Jumeirah Beach Residences before getting ice cream and walking over to the marina to watch the sunset on the water, surrounded by towering modern skyscrapers.

Downtown Dubai

This is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the city, home to the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Fountain , which puts on a fantastic show every 30 minutes each night. Shop 'til you drop, head up to the top of the tallest tower in the world, or grab a seat at one of the many restaurants surrounding the fountain for dinner and a show.

Palm Jumeirah

This palm-shaped island is man-made and dotted with luxury hotels and beach clubs. Kids will love the over-the-top waterpark at Atlantis, The Palm , while adults will enjoy whiling away the day at one of the many pool decks. For a bird's eye view of the island itself, try skydiving — just remember to stop screaming long enough to take it all in.

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Taxis are the default way to get around Dubai, but if you want to really explore the city and the neighboring emirates, Ahmed recommended renting a car. “It will make your life easier plus it will open up the possibility for you to explore the other emirates in the UAE. If time is of the essence, get yourself a car,” she said.

She noted that the metro is great if you’re staying in and traveling around Old Dubai, but if you want to explore New Dubai or go further afield, taxi hires and car rentals are the easiest way to get around.

Taxis: Dubai has an extensive network of taxis that bring travelers throughout the city. It's easy to hail a taxi at popular attractions like the malls and the beach. For women who feel more comfortable with a female driver, the city even has " Ladies and Families " taxis, which are always driven by women. Those looking to schedule a taxi ride can use apps like Uber and Careem, which operate throughout the city.

Trains: The Dubai Metro is cooler than your average subway, featuring automated and sleek cars, WiFi, and even separate cars that women and children can use. (The Red Line even holds the Guinness World Record for the longest driverless metro line at more than 32 miles long.) There are nearly 30 metro stations and a good amount of the track is outdoors, passing by iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and making it a great way to see the city and get from Point A to B. Passengers can purchase single, return, or day-pass tickets — or get a cashless smart card called Nol.

Buses: Dubai has more than 1,500 buses that cover a hefty majority of the city's urban areas.

Abra : Travelers can ride these traditional wooden boats between the Bur Dubai area and the Deira area where Dubai's Gold Souk, Textile Souk, and Spice Souk are located.

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Your Trip to Dubai: The Complete Guide

• Best Time to Visit
• Weather & Climate
• Dubai International Airport Guide
• Public Transit
• Currency in Dubai
• Safety & Laws in Dubai
• 48-Hour Itinerary
• Day Trips From Dubai
• Top Things to See & Do
• Free Things to Do in Dubai
• Things to Do at Palm Jumeirah
• Best Museums
• Best Beaches in Dubai
• Dubai's Coolest Architecture
• Adventure Activities
• Dubai Marina
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Jumeirah Mosque
• Must-Try Food
• Best Restaurants
• Nightlife in Dubai

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Dubai is renowned for having the tallest building in the world, amazing beaches, and fantastic shopping like the Dubai Mall . It is also home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the land and fun-filled adventures such as dune-bashing and Ski Dubai . Whatever your heart's content, it can be found in the City of Gold. Get lost zipping through the souks in Old Dubai or be stricken by the beautiful architecture and design throughout the city. Use this guide to lead you on your way exploring the enchanting city of Dubai.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Dubai is from October through April. This is the most comfortable time to explore the city as the months are cooler and much more bearable. It’s the best time for enjoying outdoor activities and festivals.

Language: Arabic is the official language in Dubai. However, English is widely spoken throughout the UAE.

Currency: The Emirati dirham (DH) is the official currency of Dubai and the UAE.

Getting Around: Dubai has an extensive public transport system consisting of buses, monorail, tram, taxis, and the Dubai metro. The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) is the official operator of the public transport network.

Travel Tip: If you are a fan of ridesharing apps like Uber or Lyft, make sure you download Dubai’s version Careem prior to your trip. The app also offers food delivery and access to bike-sharing services.

Things to Do

While most have a desire to visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, while visiting Dubai, there are plenty of other things to see and do. From visiting one of the museums to enjoying fine dining at the assortment of international restaurants and soaking up some rays at the public beaches, Dubai has even more experiences to enjoy.

• Visit one of the many theme parks available in Dubai such as the Dubai Parks and Resorts , which features Motiongate Dubai and 27 themed rides. If you desire to cool off instead, then consider exploring IMG Worlds of Adventure , which is the biggest indoor theme park in the world featuring the Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure. The kids will rave for days from this action-packed experience!
• Dubai is home to the Guinness Book of World Records   largest structure made of flowers at the Dubai Miracle Garden . It features a real life-sized Boeing A380 full of over 500,000 floral arrangements. The Miracle garden also offers the Dubai Butterfly Garden, which houses 15,000 butterflies of more than 26 species.
• Dubai also features the largest shopping mall in the world the Dubai Mall. Explore this feast on the eyes, which offers the Dubai Ice Rink and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. The aquarium features more than 300 sharks and other species of fish, which can be seen for free from outside of the tank while walking by with friends and family.

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on the most adventurous activities to in Duba i, the 10 best day trips from Dubai , and Dubai’s top 10 beaches .

What to Eat and Drink

Dubai has an assorted food scene, considering that more than 80 percent of residents in Dubai are from various nationalities there is no wonder why. Whatever type of food that you desire, it can be found at one of the many fine-dining restaurants or street food stalls on Jumeriah beach.

Check out our complete guides to which foods to try, the best bars , and where to eat at the Dubai Marina .

Where to Stay

There are a host of hotel options in Dubai for the discerning traveler to the globetrotter willing to shell out the big bucks in the City of Gold. Many travelers enjoy staying closer to the southern end of the city in the Jumeriah Beach and Dubai Marina areas. Nevertheless, the Downtown Dubai and Business Bay area offers both high-end and affordable options as well such as Rove Downtown and the Palace Downtown , an Address hotel. 

Check out our recommendations for the 9 best Dubai hotels and a guide to Atlantis The Palm, Dubai .

Getting There

The main airport in the city is Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is a hub for many international destinations. It was operated with more than 86 million customers in 2019   , thus making it one of the world’s busiest airports for international passengers. Dubai also has the smaller Al Maktoum International airport at Dubai World Central (DWC), which is linked to the city and Dubai International airport by buses operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Culture and Customs

Some people may think of the Middle East and have concerns about safety there. Nevertheless, it is safe to travel to Dubai . The UAE actually is one of the safest countries in the world   . While Islamic culture may be different than what we are used to in Western cultures, as long as you respect the culture in Dubai, you will be respected as a tourist here.

It is advisable to dress conservatively in certain areas like visiting a mosque or traditional areas. This may include covering your arms past your elbows and legs past your knees. It’s a good idea for women to keep a scarf on them for visiting holy places so you can cover your hair. Again, respect is the key term here and better to err on the side of caution.

Money-Saving Tips

Many think that when you travel to Dubai you have to spend loads of money on entertainment, food, and shopping. You will more than likely pay for a tour for certain activities and will like to experience other unique activities popular in the city like Dinner in the Sky and more. However, there are some ways to stay on budget while in Dubai.

• The Entertainer is a booklet and app that many locals and visitors can use to get great discounts and deals at restaurants, activities, and hotels. It offers great two-for-one specials on various theme parks, attractions, clubs, restaurants, and more throughout the city. The booklet is available at bookstores and supermarkets, or you can download the app prior to your trip.
• Instead of paying for pricey taxis from one side of the city to the next, consider taking the Dubai Metro for a cheap ride across the city. It is available for transport from the airport to locations south of the city.
• Consider cutting back on those drink price by attending a happy hour at places like the famed McGettigan’s to Perry & Blackwelder’s, or one of the many other options.

Learn more about inexpensive ways to have fun by exploring 10 free things to do in Dubai .

Guinness World Records. " Largest Flower Arrangement/Structure ."

Reuters. " Dubai airport sees rare annual drop in passenger traffic in 2019 ."

Numbeo. " Safety Index by City 2020 ."

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Dubai Travel Guide

It’s hard to believe when confronting the sheer scale of Dubai, but most of the city was built in just the last 50 years. It makes the world’s biggest shopping mall, tallest skyscraper, and a host of ultra-luxurious hotels all the more bewildering. Still, amid all the glamor and superlatives, there are vestiges of a pre-skyscraper Dubai, in its winding souks and the vast empty desert that surrounds the city. Here’s how to navigate both sides of this always-growing metropolis.

Plan Your Dubai Trip

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The Best Things to Do in Dubai

The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Dubai

Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations

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Dubai Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

I found myself loving my first visit here so much that I extended my stay.

Dubai is a city trapped between worlds. It’s a place with a conservative culture and old-world customs while at the same time a Middle-Eastern Vegas where anything goes (so long as it’s behind closed doors). There’s a lot of partying that happens here.

But, beyond that, I was surprised at how much there was to do in this city. This city is more than just a flashy place to spend money. There’s a lot of cultural activities, museums, attractions, tours, and things to do here.

Dubai is a fascinating, multicultural city that deserves a lot more than a stopover. This travel guide to Dubai will help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Dubai

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Dubai

1. Visit the Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world, which opened in 2010, boasts a whopping 163 floors. You can go up to the 125th floor for 169 AED for epic views of the city. And for 399 AED you can climb even higher to floor 148 and visit the exclusive lounge. From there, you get panoramic views of the city and desert. Towering 555 meters (1,820 feet), the iconic tower contains a hotel, private residences, corporate offices, and a bar/lounge. At night, the building is illuminated by a spectacular light show of fish, palm trees, and other scenes while the fountain below dances to music. Get your tickets in advance here .

2. Take a desert safari

If you want to get a taste of the desert, head out on a day-long safari . You’ll be able to explore the desert, watch for birds and other wildlife, eat some traditional food, and take in the sweeping vistas. Tour offerings include desert jeep tours, camel riding tours, and horseback riding excursions. A day-long excursion starts at around 439 AED per person.

3. Visit Global Village

This is a massive entertainment extravaganza, with shopping, dining, and live performances all coming together to create an incredible cultural experience. It’s like Epcot Center at Disney World, except it showcases the different cultures of the Middle East. Enjoy ice-skating at Snowfest Ice Rink, visiting Ripley’s Believe It or Not, or taking a thrilling ride at Carnaval amusement park. Admission is only 18 AED.

4. Explore the Dubai Miracle Garden

This quirky and colorful garden opened in 2013 and is spread over 72,000 square meters (775,000 square feet), making it the world’s largest natural flower garden. It’s home to over 150 million flowers and all kinds of flower and plant sculptures. In addition to the natural beauty, you can experience various performances that change each week, and a daily flower parade with live music and choreographed dancers in full flower garb. If you get hungry during your visit there are more than 30 food and beverage options including cafes, candy shops, and healthy juice bars. Admission is 75 AED.

5. Have fun at Kite Beach

If you’re into kitesurfing or water sports, this is a cool place to catch some waves. The artificial beach is one of the most popular in Dubai and features lots of sugary white sand, kids’ activities, food and beverage vendors, fitness areas, and even a library. The winds pick up in the afternoon, making it a good time to hit the water or just sit back and watch others do it. If watersports aren’t your thing, come here to catch some rays and relax as it’s free and open to the public.

Other Things to See and Do in Dubai

1. wander the marina.

The marina area is surrounded by tall buildings and is composed of a beautiful scenic boardwalk. Here you’ll find lots of fancy boats, beautiful condos, and bars and restaurants overlooking the harbor. Be sure to check out Pier 7, which is seven floors of restaurants and bars on the water. Personally, I liked Asia Asia, with its gaudy Asian theme.

2. Hit the mall

Malls in Dubai are not like malls anywhere else in the world. There are over 65 malls in the city with more on the way. People love going to malls here! Between the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, you’ll find a ton of amazing things to see and do. There’s luxury shopping, nightly fountain shows, an aquarium inside the Dubai Mall (which has a 270-degree underwater tunnel you can walk through), and even indoor skiing at the Mall of the Emirates (the Mall of the Emirates also has over 650 stores and 100 restaurants). You can also visit the world’s largest themed mall, the Ibn Battuta Mall. It has a Moroccan theme and is named after the eponymous explorer (it has over 270 stores and 50 restaurants too). Be sure to dress appropriately and avoid tank tops, shorts, or mini-skirts.

3. Visit the Grand Mosque

Located in nearby Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is definitely worth a half-day trip. Built between 1996-2007, the mosque and its surrounding gardens span over 30 acres. It’s almost all white too, giving it a very majestic look. It’s a 90-minute drive from Dubai (about 290 AED each way in a taxi or 25 AED on the bus). You’ll want to make sure you wear appropriate clothing since it is a place of worship (they have cover-up items available for anyone without suitable attire). During Eid, upwards of 41,000 people visit the mosque each day. Admission is free.

4. Explore Old Dubai

This is Dubai as it used to be. Markets (like the famous gold market) pepper the area, small shops line the streets, and you can get lost in a dizzying maze of alleyways. Take a boat across Dubai Creek to Deira (you can ride an abra, a traditional wooden boat) and wander aimlessly around the streets, eat at some of the traditional restaurants, explore the art district, and see Dubai as it is away from the glitz of the malls and high-rises. Don’t miss the Dubai Frame (a landmark offering the best views of the city), the gold market (which has upwards of 10 tons of gold at any time), and the spice souk (a large spice market you can browse).

5. Tour the Jumeirah Mosque

Opened in 1979, this beautiful mosque is one of two in the city you can actually visit. Built in the Fatimid style, it consists of one large room and there is a guided tour every day at 10am and 2pm (except Fridays). It’s 35 AED and comes with a great breakfast spread. If you don’t know much about Islam or the role it plays in the UAE, it’s a pretty interesting and educational tour.

6. Go deep-sea fishing

It’s quite easy to book a spot on a boat and head out to sea if you want to try your hand at deep-sea fishing. Tour operators cater to all ages and levels of experience, and most packages even include lunch. Prices vary depending on what sort of vessel you book and how long you go but expect to pay 1,500 AED for a 4-6-hour trip.

7. Relax at Jumeirah Beach

This white-sand beach is a fantastic place to sunbathe and stroll along the boardwalk. Located along the coast just south of the city’s historic district, there are lots of shops to visit, and there is even an outdoor movie theater. Not only is this a great place to visit, but it’s a great area to stay because you’re surrounded by so many things to do. There are playgrounds here for kids as well as areas to BBQ. It’s perfect for picnics but gets super busy on the weekend so try to enjoy it during the week to beat the crowd.

8. Wander the Palm Islands

On this famous man-made palm tree-shaped island , you’ll find a large shopping walkway, the Atlantis resort, the Aquaventure waterpark, and a host of fancy restaurants, bars, and clubs. It’s beautiful to walk around and explore during the day (at night, it’s pretty boring!).

9. Visit the Souk Madinat Jumeirah

This souk (market) is in a modern building designed to look like something out of Aladdin but it’s actually home to some incredible restaurants. There’s a beautiful inner courtyard pond in this complex, too. Come here if you want to splurge if you’re a foodie! Don’t miss Al Makan for local dishes, Anar for Persian cuisine, and The Noodle House for tasty Asian eats.

10. Binge at brunch

Brunch is a tradition among locals and expats. Every Friday, everyone flocks to a midday buffet of unlimited drinks and food. As the day goes on, it often turns into debauchery that would make Nero proud. However, brunch is not a cheap affair, costing as much as 700 AED. Ask your hotel/hostel staff where the cheapest brunches are. You can usually find some for under 200 AED.

Dubai Travel Costs

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels start at 285 AED in peak season. In the off-season, budget rooms cost around 90 AED. Expect basic amenities like a TV, tea/coffee maker, and AC.

There are lots of Airbnb options in Dubai. A private room starts around 100 AED per night though you should expect to pay double (or even triple or quadruple) if you don’t book early. Enrire homes/apartments start around 250 AED per night, however, they average triple that price so book early.

Food – Emirati cuisine takes influences from its Middle Eastern neighbors. More recently, as an international hub, you can find all kinds of internal flavors here as well. Popular dishes in Dubai include hummus, shawarma, shish tawook (grilled kebabs), and knafeh (a sweet cheese pastry topped with rose syrup and pistachios). Dates and fish are common staples, with camel milk being a more traditional addition to the diet. Popular spices include saffron, cinnamon, and turmeric.

In Dubai, a meal out costs around 65 AED while dinner for two with drinks usually averages 190-300 AED. For fast food like McDonald’s, expect to pay around 30 AED for a combo meal.

A large pizza costs around 45 AED while Chinese food is around 50 AED. A beer is about 45 AED while a latte or cappuccino is 19 AED. Bottled water is around 2 AED.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay around 500 AED per week for groceries including pasta, vegetables, meat or fish, and other basic staples.

Backpacking Dubai Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 260 AED per day you can stay in a hostel, cook all your meals, take public transportation to get around, skip drinking, and do mostly free activities like enjoying the beach and visiting the malls and mosques. If you plan on drinking, add 40-80 AED extra per day.

On a mid-range budget of 870 AED per day, you can stay in a cheap hotel or Airbnb, eat out for a few meals, enjoy a couple drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities, such as a desert safari.

On a “luxury” budget of 1,425 AED, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for every meal, drink as much as you’d like, go out for a brunch, take paid tours, visit the Burj Khalifa, and rent a car for some day trips. The sky is the limit here!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in AED.

Dubai Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Dubai is an expensive city. If you’re hanging out in the malls and restaurants that cater to expats, you’re going to spend a lot of money. That said, there are a few things you can do to cut costs so you don’t blow your budget. Here are some quick tips to help you save money in Dubai:

• Use Groupon – Groupon is huge in Dubai and you can find tons of discounts, 2-for-1 specials, and deals on the website. If there is something you want to do, check there first as there is a high chance you’ll find a discount.
• Get The Entertainer – The Entertainer is a magazine and app that offers discounts and specials on restaurants, hotels, and activities. Pick up a copy when you arrive in Dubai. It’s not cheap but sometimes you can find the app 50% off or get a free trial. There are monthly subscriptions starting at 35 AED per month and a “lite” version that is free. If you plan to see and do a lot, it’s worth the price.
• Find happy hours – Dubai is full of happy hours. Plan your drinking accordingly to avoid the city’s high-priced booze.
• Skip the booze – Outside the happy hours and all-you-can-eat brunches, drinking is expensive so I would go easy on the drinking during your visit — or skip it altogether if you’re on a budget.
• Eat in Old Dubai – Step away from the hotels, malls, and fancy souks meant to make you think you are in Aladdin and head into Old Dubai for cheap eats.
• Pick accommodation near the metro – Make sure your accommodation is near a metro stop. You don’t want to be walking around unnecessarily when it’s scorching hot and public transportation is much cheaper than taxis.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in Dubai so bring a reusable water bottle to reduce your single-use plastic usage. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Dubai

Dubai doesn’t have a lot of hostels so you’ll want to book in advance if you plan to stay in a hostel. Here are my suggested places to stay in Dubai:

• Green Sky Apartments
• Bombay Backpackers DXB
• Bohemian Backpackers

How to Get Around Dubai

Public transportation – Dubai’s metro consists of nearly 50 stations. You can get to wherever you need to go, or close to it, with public transportation. Hours of operation depend on the day but both lines start operating from around 5:30am until about 1am. On Fridays, however, the trains don’t start running until 10am.

You’ll need a Nol Card to get around and you can buy the card at any of the ticket offices at the metro stations for 25 AED.

Fares depend on which of the zones you are traveling to. A standard ticket for one zone is 4 AED, for two zones it’s 6 AED, and if you are traveling through 3 or more zones it’s 8.50 AED.

If you can’t get to where you’re going by subway, the bus will get you there. Like the metro, the bus has different zones, and the Nol card is used as payment.

Ferry – The ferry in Dubai runs daily from three different terminals in the marina. Evening trips on the ferry are much busier, so be sure to get to the terminal 30 minutes early. Tickets range from 15-50 AED for silver class (seats in the main section of the boat) and 25-75 AED for gold class (more comfortable seats at the front of the boat).

Taxi – Taxis start at 12 AED and go up by around 2.50 AED per kilometer. Skip them if you can. They add up quickly!

Ridesharing – Uber and Careem are the two main ridesharing apps in Dubai. They aren’t usually cheaper than a standard taxi but they tend to be a lot more convenient.

Bicycle – Bikes can be rented from Nextbike for around 20 AED per hour or 80 AED per day.

Car rental – If you’re leaving the city, cars can be rented for around 190 AED per day. I would only rent one if you’re leaving the city. Otherwise, just use public transportation to get around. It will be much faster!

When to Go to Dubai

The most popular time to visit Dubai is between November-April. The weather is cooler and perfect for desert safaris, with daily highs averaging around 27°C (80°F). Flights and accommodation will be more expensive during this time though so plan accordingly.

May-August is the low season as Dubai just gets too warm. Daily highs average around 41°C (106°F) and make exploring the city unbearable. I visited in August and it was brutal. Skip the summer if you can!

The shoulder season between September and October is when the sea becomes perfect for swimming and water sports. It’s much less busy during this time so you’ll find fewer crowds and cheaper prices too.

How to Stay Safe in Dubai

Dubai is a very safe city. Violent crime is incredibly rare here. Petty theft and pickpocketing can occur, though they’re quite rare too. As long as you keep your valuables secure while you’re out and about you likely won’t have any issues.

Be aware that many activities that are legal in other countries are not legal in Dubai, such as displays of public affection between unmarried or LGBTQ partners, drunken behavior, dressing immodestly, swearing, photographing people without their permission, and criticizing UAE’s government.

You’ll need to dress and act conservatively here. All the wild and crazy stuff in the city happens behind closed doors. It’s a see no evil kind of thing. Don’t push the limit in public or you’re likely to get into serious trouble. Be extra cautious about being wild or “immodest” here.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.) when you’re here. For an extra layer of safety, use the female-only cars on the metro. For more information, check out one of the many solo female travl blogs on the city to help you out.

Scams here are rare. If you’re worried about getting ripped off, you can read my post on common travel scams to avoid .

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for the police, 998 for an ambulance, and 997 for the fire department.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Dubai Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Dubai Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Dubai and continue planning your trip:

How to Save Money in Dubai (and 9 cool things to do there!)

Dubai: The Las Vegas of the Middle East?

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Brigitte – Netherlands

The tour was fantastic. Especially the mosque was the big highlighter of the tour.Our tourguide Ashraf did a great job.

Dubai is like nowhere else on the planet and is a fascinating place to visit. Often claimed to be the world’s fastest-growing city, over the past four decades it has metamorphosed from a small Gulf trading centre to become one of the world’s most glamorous, spectacular and futuristic urban destinations, fuelled by a heady cocktail of petrodollars, visionary commercial acumen and naked ambition. Visit Dubai for a week or just a short stopover, and you’ll be blown away by the clash of cultures, extreme luxury and world famous architecture. Find out what this unique city has to offer with the best travel guide to Dubai.

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Where to stay in dubai, 7 best places in dubai, best time to travel to dubai, how to get to dubai, entry requirements, the inner suburbs, the arabian dhow, construction, festival city, ras al khor, travel ideas for united arab emirates, created by local experts.

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Experience the best of the UAE, from unexpected cultural discoveries to modern high-rises and mega malls. Be surprised by spectacular mountain scenery, vast, rolling dunes, desert oases and a sparkling Arabian Sea. Then simply tie it all in with laid-back beaches, fine dining and world-class hotels.

Dubai Family Stopover

Make a luxury stopover with all the family in gorgeous, glam Dubai for a spot of lazing on the beach and luxurious relaxation. Get the adrenaline racing in Wild Wadi Water Park and on an action-packed desert safari, boat rides along the creek and more.

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Take the whole family to the sandy shores of glamourous Dubai, which will be your base as you discover the golden allure of the United Arab Emirates. Meet camels, sleep in a Bedouin tent and go underwater at the Atlantis for the family adventure of a lifetime.

UAE Essentials

The UAE is a country of great contrasts: from Dubai's modern high-rises sitting side-by-side with traditional souks; to Abu Dhabi's spectacular Grand Mosque and its sleek and modern Ferrari World. This trip takes in all the essentials of this fascinating country.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Culture and Heritage

Discover the cultural heritage of Dubai and Abu Dhabi; from the world's tallest skyscraper and largest shopping mall to Ferrari World and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Dubai’s ability to dream (and then achieve) the impossible has ripped up expectations and rewritten the record books, as evidenced by stunning developments such as the soaring Burj Khalifa , the beautiful Burj al Arab and the vast Palm Jumeirah island – a testament to the ruling sheikhs’ determination to make the city one of the world’s essential travel destinations for the twenty-first century. Yellow boats will take you to see the Palm Jumeirah, the Burj al Arab and the Marina on a single trip.

Modern Dubai is frequently seen as a panegyric to consumerist luxury: a self-indulgent haven of magical hotels, superlative restaurants and extravagantly themed shopping malls. Perhaps not surprisingly, the city is often stereotyped as a vacuous consumerist fleshpot, appealing only to those with more cash than culture, although this one-eyed cliché does absolutely no justice to Dubai’s beguiling contrasts and rich cultural make-up. The city’s headline-grabbing mega-projects have also deflected attention from Dubai’s role in providing the Islamic world with a model of political stability and religious tolerance, showing what can be achieved by a peaceful and progressive regime in one of the planet’s most troubled regions.

For the visitor, there’s far more to Dubai than designer boutiques and five-star hotels – although of course if all you’re looking for is a luxurious dose of sun, sand and shopping , the city takes some beating. If you want to step beyond the tourist clichés, however, you’ll find that Dubai has much more to offer than you might think, ranging from the fascinating old city centre, with its higgledy-piggledy labyrinth of bustling souks interspersed with fine old traditional Arabian houses, to the memorably quirky postmodern architectural skylines of the southern parts of the city. There's a vast array of diversions for children, too. Dubai Ice Rink offers a range of open-to-all public sessions, the aquarium is wonderful and iFly Dubai allows you to don a flying suit and take to the air.

Dubai’s human geography is no less memorable, featuring a cosmopolitan assortment of Emiratis, Arabs, Iranians, Indians, Filipinos and Europeans – a fascinating patchwork of peoples and languages that gives the city its uniquely varied cultural appeal. The credit crunch may have pushed Dubai to the verge of bankruptcy but pronouncements of its imminent demise proved wildly premature, and the city remains one of the twenty-first century’s most fascinating and vibrant urban experiments in progress. Visit Dubai now to see history, literally, in the making.

Beyond Dubai, there's endless expanses of desert to explore. Go dune-bashing in an off-road vehicle, or try your hand at sand-skiing. You can even book onto a Desert Safari , with BBQ, falconry, a camel ride and sandboarding all included.

Dubai has a vast range of accommodation, much of it aimed squarely at big spenders. There's also a decent selection of mid-range places, although nothing for real budget travellers.

At the top end of the market, the city has some of the most stunning hotels on the planet, from the futuristic Burj al Arab to traditional Arabian-themed palaces such as Al Qasr and the One&Only Royal Mirage. When it comes to creature comforts, all of Dubai’s top hotels do outrageous luxury as standard, with sumptuous suites, indulgent spa treatments, spectacular bars and gorgeous private beaches. The size and style of the very best places makes them virtually tourist attractions in their own right – self-contained islands of indulgence in which it’s possible to spend day after day without ever feeling the need to leave.

Madinat Jumeirah

Astounding mock-Arabian city, home to a string of lavish hotels and leisure facilities – the quintessential Dubaian example of opulent kitsch on an epic scale.

Deira Souks

At the heart of old Dubai, the district of Deira comprises an atmospheric tangle of bazaars, ranging from the Gold Souk’s glittering shop windows to the aromatic alleyways of the Spice Souk.

Dhow Wharfage

Home to hundreds of superb Arabian dhows moored up along the Deira creekside – one of central Dubai’s most incongruous but magical sights.

Al Ain Oasis

An idyllic retreat from the heat and dust of contemporary Al Ain, with peaceful little pedestrianized lanes running through shady plantations of luxuriant date palms.

Jumeirah Mosque

Dubai’s most beautiful mosque – open to visitors during informative guided tours.

One of the city’s best-preserved heritage areas, with a fascinating little labyrinth of old houses topped by innumerable wind towers.

Ibn Battuta Mall

Kitsch and eye-poppingly extravagant, this mile-long mall takes its inspiration from the journeys of Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta.

The best time to visit Dubai is in the cooler winter months from December through to February, when the city enjoys a pleasantly Mediterranean climate, with average daily temperatures in the mid-20s °C. Not surprisingly, room rates (and demand) are at their peak during these months, though skies in January and February can sometimes be rather overcast, and it can even be surprisingly wet at times. Temperatures rise significantly from March through to April and in October and November, when the thermometer regularly nudges up into the 30s, though the heat is still relatively bearable, and shouldn’t stop you getting out and about.

During the summer months from May to September the city boils – July and August are especially suffocating – with average temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s (and frequently higher). Although the heat is intense (even after dark), room rates at most of the top hotels plummet by as much as 75 percent, making this an excellent time to enjoy some authentic Dubaian luxury at relatively affordable prices, so long as you don’t mind spending most of your time hopping between air-conditioned hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and clubs.

Dubai is the Middle East’s largest airline hub, boasting excellent connections worldwide with the city’s own Emirates airline and other international carriers. These include numerous direct flights to various destinations in the UK, plus a number of places in the US and Australia.

Other options for getting to Dubai are contrastingly limited (for Western visitors, at least). It’s possible to travel overland into the UAE from several points in neighbouring Oman, but not Saudi Arabia. There are no regular ferry services to Dubai, although the city is a popular stop on many cruise itineraries. Click here to read more about how to get to Dubai.

Nationals of the UK, Ireland and most other Western European countries, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are issued a free thirty-day visa on arrival. Always check visa requirements direct with your UAE embassy or consulate as this information is subject to change. You’ll need a passport that will be valid for at least six months after the date of entry. Having an Israeli stamp in your passport shouldn’t be a problem. This visa can be extended for a further thirty days at a cost of 620dh by visiting the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (DNRD), next to Bur Dubai Police Station, close to Al Jafiliya metro station (Sun–Wed 7.30am–7.30pm; T 04 313 9999 or T 800 5111, W dnrd.ae ). Click here for more Dubai travel essentials.

This page contains affiliate links; all recommendations are editorially independent.

Top image © Shutterstock

Fringing the southern and eastern edges of the city centre – and separating it from the more modern areas beyond – is a necklace of low-key suburbs: Garhoud, Oud Metha, Karama and Satwa. Southeast of Deira, workaday Garhoud is home to the Dubai Creek Golf Club , with its famously futuristic clubhouse, and the adjacent yacht club, where you’ll find a string of attractive waterside restaurants alongside the lovely Park Hyatt hotel. Directly over the Creek, Oud Metha is home to the quirky Wafi complex and the lavish Khan Murjan Souk , while west of here the enjoyably downmarket suburbs of Karama and Satwa are both interesting places to get off the tourist trail and see something of local life among the city’s Indian and Filipino expats, with plenty of cheap curry houses and shops selling designer fakes.

A handful of additional attractions can be found slightly further afield. Just beyond Oud Metha the suburb of Jaddaf is home to the city’s last surviving traditional dhow-building yard , while over the Creek rises the shiny new Festival City development. A few kilometres further along the Creek, the Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary protects a rare surviving patch of undeveloped wetland, home to colourful flocks of flamingo, while a short drive southwest from here brings you to the spectacular Meydan Racecourse , home to the Dubai Cup, the world’s richest horse race.

The inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula were among the greatest seafarers of medieval times, using innovative shipbuilding techniques and navigational instruments to establish extensive maritime trading connections. Early Arab traders established outposts as far afield as India, Sri Lanka and East Africa, and the legacy of these early adventurers can still be seen in the religious and cultural heritage of places like Lamu in Kenya and Zanzibar in Tanzania, where the distinctive form of the lateen-sailed Arabian dhow survives to this day.

The word “dhow” itself is simply a generic name used to apply to all boats of Arabian design. Classic designs include the sambuq , a sizeable ocean-going vessel incorporating Indian and European features, including a square stern which is thought to have been influenced by old Portuguese galleons (traditional Arabian dhows are tapered at both ends), and the boom , another large seafaring dhow. Other smaller dhows still in use around the Gulf include the shu’ai and the jalibut , both formerly used for trading, pearling and fishing, as well as the abra , hundreds of which still ply the Creek today.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the traditional dhow was its so-called stitched construction – planks, usually of teak, were literally “sewn” together using coconut rope. Nails were increasingly used after European ships began to visit the region, although stitched boats were made right up until World War II. Traditional dhows are also unusual in being built “outside-in”, with exterior planking being nailed together before the internal framework is added (the exact opposite of European boat-building techniques).

The traditional dhow’s most visually notable feature was its distinctive triangular lateen sails, which allows boats to sail closer to the wind when travelling against the monsoon breezes. These have now disappeared on commercial vessels around the Gulf following the introduction of engines, though they can still be seen on local racing dhows.

Traditional wooden dhows still play an important part in the local economy, and continue to prove an efficient and cost-effective way of shipping goods around the Gulf and, particularly, over to Iran – as well as finding a new lease of life as tourist pleasure boats. There are still a number of traditional dhow-building yards around the UAE: in Dubai at Jaddaf, and in the neighbouring emirates of Ajman, Umm al Quwain and Ras al Khaimah, although the incredibly labour-intensive production costs and a gradual loss of the traditional skills required in dhow-construction (local boat-builders are famed for their ability to work without plans, building entirely by eye and experience) may eventually drive old-style dhow-building into extinction.

Facing Jaddaf on the opposite side of the Creek, Festival City is one of Dubai’s newest and largest purpose-built neighbourhoods – a self-contained city within a city, complete with villas and apartments, offices, golf course, marina, shopping mall and a pair of swanky five-star hotels.

Centrepiece of the development is the bright Festival Centre shopping mall. There’s nothing here that you won’t find (and generally done better) at other malls around the city, although the canalside cafés at the Creek end of the centre are pleasant enough, and there are also “sofa boats” for rent if you fancy a sedate turn around the waterways. Best of all are the sweeping views from the waterfront promenade (next to the mall and the adjacent Crowne Plaza and InterContinental hotels) over the Creek to the dhow-building yard at Jaddaf and the long line of skyscrapers beyond. The panorama is particularly fine towards dusk, when the sun sets behind the Burj Khalifa and towers along Sheikh Zayed Road, turning them a smoky grey, like the outline of some kind of surreal bar chart.

Covering the area between the airport and the Creek, the suburb of Garhoud is an interesting mishmash of up- and downmarket attractions. The Deira City Centre mall is the main draw for locals, eternally popular with an eclectic crowd running the gamut from Gulf Arabs and Russian bargain-hunters through to the many expat Indians and Filipinos who live in the down-at-heel suburbs on the far side of the airport.

On the southern edge of Oud Metha, the district of Jaddaf is home to the very last of Dubai’s traditional dhow-building yards , where you may be lucky enough to see craftsmen at work constructing these magnificent ocean-going vessels using carpentry skills which appear not to have changed for generations. The yards aren’t really set up for visitors and are essentially places of work, rather than tourist attractions, while there’s also a certain degree of pot luck involved depending on how many vessels are under construction at any given time – although the mainly Indian workforce are usually happy to chat to visitors and the yard owners don’t generally mind visitors having a look around.

Karama is the classic Dubai inner-city suburb, home to some of the legions of Indian, Pakistani and Filipino expatriate workers – waitresses, taxi drivers, builders and shopkeepers – who supply so much of the city’s labour. The district is centred on Kuwait Street and the bustling little Karama Centre , one of the city’s pokiest malls, with colourful little shops selling shalwar kameez and flouncy Indian-style jewellery. At the end of Kuwait Street lies the lively Karama Park , surrounded by cheap and cheery Indian restaurants and usually busy with a dozen simultaneous cricket matches after dark.

Just south of Karama Park is the district’s main tourist attraction, the Karama Souk , an unprepossessing concrete mall of hundreds of small shops stuffed full of fake designer clothes, watches, glasses, DVDs and other items (or “copy watches” and “copy bags” as the souk’s enthusiastic touts euphemistically describe them).

Around 4km south of Ras al Khor, the vast Meydan complex provides conclusive proof of the ruling Maktoum family’s passion – bordering on obsession – for all things equine. Centrepiece of the complex is the superb racecourse , opened in 2010 to replace the old track at nearby Nad al Sheba and provide a new and more fitting venue for the Dubai World Cup , the world’s richest horse race with a massive US$10 million in prize money. The complex also contains the usual fancy five-star hotel along with a few other buildings in a mixed residential and business development which is eventually intended to form a self-contained “city” along the lines of Festival City down the road.

Godolphin and the racing Maktoums

Ruler and architect of contemporary Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum is also celebrated in racing circles as one of today’s leading owners and breeders of thoroughbreds in his role as the founder of Godolphin , established in 1994 and now one of the world’s largest and most successful racing stables. Sheikh Mohammed’s love of horses runs deep: he is said to have shared his breakfast with his horse en route to school as a boy, to have competed in his first horse race aged 12, and to have been able to tame wild horses considered unrideable by others. His love of the turf dates back to his time as a student at Cambridge in England in the 1960s, and within a decade he and his brothers Hamdan and Ahmed all had horses in training at nearby Newmarket. The first of many Maktoum family triumphs came in 1982, when Hamdan’s Touching Wood won that year’s St Leger classic at Doncaster, followed up by Derby wins in 1989 and 1994.

Godolphin now have over 1500 horses in training across the globe and have won more than three thousand races in fourteen different countries, becoming one of the biggest buyers and breeders of racehorses on the planet, with a total investment in bloodstock, stud farms and various related properties now worth over US$2.45 billion. In 2013, they also had the less enviable distinction of finding themselves at the centre of what The Economist described as "the biggest doping scandal in racing history" when it was discovered that 22 horses at their Newmarket stables had been dosed with anabolic steroids by their head trainer, Mahmood al Zarooni. Al Zarooni was immediately dismissed and prompt action was taken to clear Godolphin's global reputation, and in 2014 the stables went on to enjoy easily their most successful year ever, with a staggering 361 wins worldwide.

Across the Creek from Garhoud, the rather formless suburb of Oud Metha is home to assorted malls, hotels and lowbrow leisure attractions, including the old-fashioned Lamcy Plaza and the even more old-fashioned Al Nasr Leisureland amusement park. Nearby, the serene Ismaili Centre sits amid attractive gardens on land donated by Sheikh Rashid in 1982. It’s one of Dubai’s most beautiful places of worship, combining hints of Morocco and Egypt in its elegantly understated architecture, although sadly entry is restricted to Ismaili–Muslims, so most visitors will be able to see only those parts of the building visible from the street.

Khan Murjan Souk

Hidden away between Wafi and Raffles , Khan Murjan Souk is one of Dubai’s finest “traditional” developments, allegedly modelled after the fabled fourteenth-century Khan Murjan Souk in Baghdad. The souk is divided into four sections – Egyptian, Syrian, Moroccan and Turkish (not that you can really tell the difference) – spread over two underground levels with a lovely outdoor restaurant at its centre and some 125 shops selling all manner of traditional wares. It’s a great (albeit pricey) place to shop, while the faux-Arabian decor is impressively done, with lavish detailing ranging from intricately carved wooden balconies to enormous Moroccan lanterns and colourful tilework. Of course, it’s all about as authentic as a Mulberry bag from Karama – indeed, if the city authorities are serious about clamping down on the local trade in fakes and forgeries, they could do worse than start here. Still, the whole thing has been done with such enormous panache and at, presumably, such enormous expense that it’s hard not to be at least a little bit impressed.

Wafi and Raffles

Oud Metha's leading attraction is the wacky Egyptian-themed Wafi complex, a little slice of Vegas in Dubai, dotted with assorted random obelisks, Pharaonic statues, random hieroglyphs and miniature pyramids, and with a good selection of shops and restaurants inside. The Egyptian theme is continued in the opulent Raffles hotel next door, built in the form of a vast pyramid complete with glass-capped summit – particularly spectacular when lit up after dark. The hotel is also exactly the same height (139m) as the Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza in Egypt, which puts the incredible size of that ancient wonder of the world into remarkable perspective.

Some 5km southwest of Festival City, the Dubai Creek flows into Ras al Khor , an extensive inland lagoon dotted with mangroves and surrounded by intertidal salt and mud flats – a unique area of unspoilt nature close to the city centre. As its name, "Head of the Creek", suggests, Ras al Khor originally marked the end of Dubai's principal waterway, although the Creek has now been extended a further 7km or so all the way to Business Bay, with further works planned as part of the Dubai Canal project which will eventually take it all the way back to the sea at Jumeirah – meaning that by 2017 Ras al Khor will no longer be anywhere near the head of the Creek, but more like about halfway round.

Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

The southern end of the lagoon provides, for now at least, a home for the low-key Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, best known for its aquatic birdlife. The sanctuary is an important stopover on winter migratory routes from East Africa to West Asia, and almost seventy different species have been spotted here. It’s best known for the colourful flocks of bright pink flamingoes which nest here – one of Dubai’s most surreal sights when seen perched against the smoggy outlines of the city skyscrapers beyond. You can’t actually go into the sanctuary, but you can birdwatch from one of two hides on its edge. Signage for the hides is minimal and you’ll need a car to reach them, but don’t expect taxi drivers to know where they are. Free binoculars are provided, although the roar of the nearby motorways isn’t particularly conducive to the relaxed contemplation of nature. The two hides are Fantir (“Flamingo”) hide on the west side of the sanctuary, beside the Oud Metha road (E66) just north of the junction with the Hatta road (E44); and Gum (“Mangrove”) hide on the south side of the sanctuary, on the north side of the Hatta road – although to reach it from central Dubai you’ll need to do an annoying 8km loop to get back on the correct side of the highway.

The unpretentious district of Satwa is the southernmost of Dubai’s predominantly low-rise, low-income inner suburbs before you reach the giant skyscrapers of Sheikh Zayed Road and the beginnings of the supersized modern city beyond. It’s also one of the few places in Dubai where the city’s different ethnic groups really rub shoulders, with its mix of Arab, Indian, Filipino and even a few European residents reflected in an unusually eclectic selection of places to eat, from cheap-and-cheerful curry houses to Lebanese shwarma cafés and Western fast-food joints.

At the centre of the district lies Satwa Roundabout , overlooked by the Chelsea Plaza hotel. The streets south of here are mainly occupied by Indian and Pakistani shops and cafés, including the well-known Ravi’s . West from the roundabout stretches Satwa’s principal thoroughfare, the tree-lined 2nd December Street (still widely referred to by its old name, Al Diyafah Street), one of the nicest in Dubai – and one of the few outside the city centre with any real street life – with wide pavements, dozens of cafés and restaurants and an interestingly cosmopolitan atmosphere. It all feels rather Mediterranean, especially after dark, when the cafés get going, the crowds come out, and young men in expensive cars start driving round and round the block in a vain effort to impress.

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written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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Ultimate Guide to Visiting Dubai: 7-Day Detailed Itinerary with Costs

The ultimate travel guide to dubai.

Sara Santos | September 26, 2023 May 9, 2023

We spent seven days in Dubai in February 2023. We did a lot of research about the best places to visit, must-do experiences, how to use public transportation, where to stay, and much more.

In this article, we’ll share with you our detailed 7-day itinerary with tips, costs, and our honest opinion about the places we’ve visited, so that you can take out the most of your visit to Dubai.

Visiting Dubai: Practical Information

• Best time to visit: winter (from November to February)
• Currency: AED
• Language: UAE’s official language is Arabic, but English is spoken by almost everyone in Dubai
• Visa: check visa requirements
• How to get there: Dubai Airport or Abu Dhabi Airport
• How to get around: taxi (check the Careem app) and public transportation
• How to pay for stuff: cash and card are widely accepted
• Plugs : plug type is G (like in the UK)
• Safety : one of the safest places in the world when it comes to crime

Summary of Dubai 7-Day Itinerary

Day 0 in Dubai : Arrive and Check-in at your Accommodation

Day 1 in Duba i: Palm Jumeirah and Madinat Jumeirah

Visiting The View At the Palm

Ride at the palm monorail, the pointe – best place for pictures of the atlantis, visiting jumeirah souk madinat, dinner and stroll at dubai marina.

Day 2 in Dubai : Jumeirah Mosque and Burj Khalifa

• Cultural Tour at Jumeirah Mosque

Ethiad Museum (alternative)

• At the Top of Burj Kalifha
• Dubai Fountain Show

Dubai Downtown

Day 3 in Dubai : Mall of the Emirates and Old Dubai, and JBR

Ski at Mall of the Emirates

Explore old dubai and visit the souks, stroll jbr walk – jumeirah beach residences.

Day 4 in Dubai : Desert Adventure

Day 5 in Dubai : Etihad Museum, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, and Global Village

Ethiad Museum

Dubai frame, museum of the future, global village, miracle garden.

Day 6 in Dubai : Aquaventure Waterpark

• A Day at the Aquaventure Waterpark

Day 7 in Dubai : Day Trip to Abu Dhabi and Going Back Home

Day 0 in Dubai – Arrive and Check-in at your Accommodation

We assume that your flight will arrive later in the afternoon like ours. So you won’t have much time to explore and you’ll go straight to your accommodation. If your flight arrives early in the morning or in the afternoon, you can skip to the next day. 

How to Get To Dubai?

We arrived at the Abu Dhabi airport from Bari (Italy) at 18:30. The flight cost 39.99€ per person with Wizz Air (only a small bag). You can get similar prices with Wizz Air from other European cities.

Depending on where you’re flying from, you might want to go to Dubai Airport (DXB) instead. You can use Skyscanner to check the best prices for flights to Dubai.

Do you need a Visa to travel to Dubai?

We have Portuguese passports, so we got our visa on Arrival. The process was super simple and quick. Check the following website to see the visa requirement for your passport.

• Dubai Visa Rules

How to Get a SIM card in UAE?

After that, we got a SIM card from Virgin right after passport control. We paid 150 AED for 21 GBs for 7 days (limited to 3GB per day).

There’s also another popular internet provider called du . If you arrive at Dubai airport, you’ll get a free SIM card with 1GB.

You’ll find counters to buy SIM cards in most malls and some metro stations as well.

Alternatively, you may opt to buy an e-SIM using the airalo app. If you use my referral code, you’ll get a 3$ credit. Use the referral code below on your first purchase:

How to Get from Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai?

• Abu Dhabi Airport Express Bus : the cheapest and most practical way to go from Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai is using the Abu Dhabi Express Bus. It runs every hour 24/7 and the journey takes approximately one hour. The price is 35 AED per person.
• Taxi : you can get a taxi from Abu Dhabi airport direct to your accommodation in Dubai.
• Private transfer : you can book a private transfer in advance using GetYourGuide , for example.

Once we got to the arrivals hall, we purchased a ticket to the Abu Dhabi Airport Express Bus to Dubai. This is the most convenient way to get to Dubai from Abu Dhabi. At the moment, there are no machines to buy tickets. You buy the ticket at the counter when you arrive. The ticket is valid for a certain departure hour. It costs 35 AED per person and the journey takes approximately one hour.

There are buses every hour 24/7. We recommended checking the Abu Dhabi Airport Express bus website for more information .

The bus arrives at Battuta Mall in Dubai, where you can get the metro from there to your accommodation, or get a taxi if that’s more convenient.

Once in Buttuta Mall, we catch the metro to our hotel’s nearest metro station. From the metro station to our apartment was a 20-minute walk. On the way there, we stopped at the Marina Mall to have some dinner. A 20-minute walk was possible because we traveled in the winter. Otherwise, it might be impossible to walk such a distance in Dubai’s summer temperatures.

Using Dubai’s public transportation is super cheap and easy (with the help of Google Maps).

How to Get from Dubai Airport (DXB) to your accommodation?

If you’re arriving at Dubai international airport (DXB), there are several ways to get to your accommodation:

• by taxi : you can get a Taxi to your accommodation. Taxis in Dubai are super affordable. For example, a ride from Dubai Airport to Dubai Mall should cost approximately 55 AED.
• by metro : there are stations on Terminals 1 and 3, with both stations on the Red Line. The trains are safe, modern, and comfortable. To ride the metro, you need a nol card. Learn more about nol card here .
• by bus : depending on where you’re staying, it might be more convenient to go by bus. You need to buy a nol card in advance to use the bus—you can’t pay directly to the driver.

Where to Stay in Dubai?

If you’re in Dubai for the first time, we recommend staying near Dubai Marina, JBR, or the area around Burj Khalifa. Those are lively zones where you’ll always have something going on at night with plenty of restaurants and great access to public transportation to all the most important highlights. If you’re on a budget, you can stay in Deira or Bur Dubai where you’ll find the most affordable stays.

Try to book your accommodation in advance so that you can get better options for a better price. We booked our accommodation using Booking and besides receiving 10% back to use in future stays, we also got 40€ to spend on attractions.

>> Click here to book your hotel in Dubai

We stayed in an apartHotel in Dubai Marina—the Royal Regency Suites. We booked a studio apartment, but we were upgraded to a one-bedroom apartment. The staff was great. The apartment was huge and with a great view of Dubai Marina (see picture above). It was only a 5-minute walk to the Marina Walk, a promenade with shops, restaurants, and views of super modern skyscrapers.

We also had access to the hotel pool and gym, but we were so busy visiting all the city highlights that we didn’t even step foot there.

How to Use Dubai’s Public Transportation?

To use Dubais’s public transportation as a tourist you need to buy a nol card . There are several options for nol cards. As a tourist, we recommend getting a red nol card. A red nol card costs 2 AED. You can get a card from ticket machines at metro stations. You can top-up your nol card with different products:

• Trips (1-zone, 2-zone, or 3-zones);
• Cash : you tap your card when you enter and exit the metro/bus. It will automatically calculate the amount to deduct from your card.
• Day ticket : unlimited travel using public transportation like metro, tram, and bus (the monorail at Palm Jumeirah is not included)  

Once you buy a product on your nol card, you can only top up with the same product. If you have a day ticket, and on the following day you only want a trip, you’ll need to get a new nol card.

You can top-up your nol card up to five times. After that, you’ll need to get a new nol card. The ticket machines accept cash and card. Please note that bus stops don’t have ticket machines (at least we didn’t see any on the ones we used).

Here’s a summary of the costs:

• Nol card price: 2 AED
• Day ticket: 20 AED
• 1-zone trip: 4 AED
• 2-zone trip: 6 AED
• 3-zone trip: 8.50 AED

These are the prices for the economic class. You may opt to get the same products but in gold class, which is double the price.

For the most up-to-date information and prices, check the RTA website .

Cost of day 0 in Dubai

Food: Dinner at Marina Mall (2pp): 35€

Transportation:

• Abu Dhabi Airport Express to Dubai (2pp): 18€
• nol card + 1-zone trip (2pp): 3€

Virgin SIM card 21GB: 38€

TOTAL: 94€ (2pp) → 47€ per person

Day 1 in Dubai: Palm Jumeirah and Madinat Jumeirah

On this day, we visited Palm Jumeirah, the famous tree-shaped artificial island, and Madinat Jumeirah, a promenade with great views of Burj Al Arab.

Day 1 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities :

• The View at the Palm
• Monorail ride at Palm Jumeirah
• The Pointe (best view to Atlantis hotel)
• Souk Madinat
• Burj Al Arab
• Marina Walk

The best way to see Palm Jumeirah is from The View at the Palm . We got a taxi ride from our apartment to The View at the Palm. The entrance is done through the Nakheel Mall. We recommend buying your tickets in advance to avoid spending time in lines. Check the links below to get your tickets to the View at the Palm. Your ticket will be valid for the day and time you specify.

The visit starts with an animation projected on the floor with an explanation of the construction of the island by a guide. The audio was quite bad, so it was a little difficult to understand what was being said.

After that, you’ll watch a short video (that seems like an inspirational video) about the dream of creating the island. When the video is over, you’ll get to a room with several facts and curiosities about the island and its construction. In my opinion, this room was very interesting, but I saw many people going straight to the next part, without even looking at this room. Don’t rush your visit. You can spend any time you need before going to the actual viewpoint.

Finally, you’ll enter an elevator to go to the top of the building to actually see the Palm. From the top, you can see the shape of the island and the famous Atlantis Hotel on the opposite side. You can also see several other interesting sights. You can see Burj Al Arab (the famous seven-star hotel), the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel on the Bluewaters island, and if you’re lucky and there isn’t much fog, you can also see Burj Khalifa.

Taking good pictures in this place might be quite challenging because there are some metal bars all around the windows. Additionally, we visited near midday and the sun was not helping to get a good light.

We spent approximately one hour at the top to take some pictures and soak up the views and we think that was more than enough.

If you don’t want to spend much money on food for lunch, take the time to lunch at the Nakheel Mall after you visit the Palm. We went to the Waitrose supermarket. You can get super cheap pastries and other already-made meal options.

Now that you are at the Nakheel Mall, it is super convenient to catch a ride on the Palm Monorail. From the Monorail, you can get very interesting sights along the journey. So, in our opinion, this ride is an attraction in itself. Additionally, it’s also a cheap way to get to the Pointe. A nice beach with a great view of the Atlantis Hotel.

You can get to the Monorail from the Nakheel mall. Just follow the signs for the Monorail. Buy a one-way ticket to the Pointe. You need to buy the tickets from the counter. There aren’t ticket machines. The ticket from Nakheel Mall to The Pointe costs 5 AED per person.

Try to go in the front of the monorail to get the best views. I was a bit disappointed because the front windows are quite small and there were too many people so that we could get a nice view at the front.

We got out at The Pointe Station and we took some pictures from the monorail station. It actually has a great view of the Atlantis Hotel. From there, we went to The Pointe beach where we eat ice cream and relaxed a bit on the beach with some views of the Atlantis Hotel. This is a very nice place to get those insta-worthy pictures.

This beach is public and you can lay down on the puffs provided for free. It’s nice to visit this place, but I don’t recommend it if you have the idea of actually going to the beach and the water. This is a super touristic place, there are always people coming, going and taking pictures. The beach is small and the water is very shallow.

Once we’ve had enough of that place, we caught the monorail back to the Palm Gateway. It costs 10 AED per person. From there, you can get a bus or a taxi to Souk Madinat Jumeirah (use Google Maps to see the best route). We caught a bus, and we had to walk for about 10 minutes.

Jumeirah Souk Madinat is like a mall with an old style resembling the old souks. It has a promenade with restaurants and stores and great views of the Burj Al Arab hotel.

If you want to see Burj Al Arab from close, you can walk from there. It’s approximately 10 minutes on foot. It was already dark when we got there. So, we weren’t able to get good pictures. If you want to get good pictures, we recommend getting there earlier.

If you want to experience the luxury of the seven-star hotel from the inside, you can get a guided tour of the hotel. Check the tickets to the Burj Al Arab guided visit here .

Because we were staying at Dubai Marina, we caught a taxi to our accommodation. You can go to Dubai Marina to have dinner, or decide to have dinner at Souk Madinat if it’s more convenient for you.

We had dinner at Habib Beirut and the food was really good. After that, we went for a stroll on Marina Walk.

Alternatively, you can also book a yacht cruise along Dubai marina with dinner included. Check the different alternatives on Get Your Guide .

We like to book our activities in Get Your Guide because you can cancel up to 24 hours if your plans change and you can check the reviews of hundreds of other people. Additionally, you get 10% off on your first bookings.

Cost of day 1 in Dubai

• Breakfast: at the apartment (2pp): 3.5€ 
• Lunch at the supermarket (2 pp): 4€
• Ice cream at The Pointe (2pp): 7.50€
• Dinner Habib Beirute (2pp): 44€

Activities:

• The View at the Palm (2pp): 49.90€
• Taxi ride (Dubai Marina to The View at the Palm): 11.50€
• Palm monorail ride (2pp): 7.5€
• Palm Gateway to Souk Madinat Bus (nol card + ride) (2pp): 5€
• Taxi ride (Burj Al Arab to Dubai Marina): 10€

TOTAL: 143€ (2pp) → 71.5€ per person

Day 2 in Dubai: Jumeirah Mosque and Burj Khalifa

On our second full day in Dubai, we went to visit Jumeirah Mosque, went to the top of Burj Khalifa, and explored Dubai downtown.

On this day, we would make a lot of trips by public transportation. So, we decided to get a nol day ticket. The card costs 2 AED and the daily ticket costs 20 AED. Getting a day ticket is super convenient to get around because you don’t have to worry about the balance on your card and you can take any type of public transportation.

Day 2 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities :

• Jumeirah Mosque and/or Ethiad Museum

At the Top of Burj Khalifa

Jumeirah mosque visit.

Jumeirah Mosque is the only Mosque in Dubai that can be visited by non-muslims. They offer cultural tours every day, except Fridays, at 10:00 and 14:00. No prior booking is required. Just make sure you get there half an hour earlier to register and eat some breakfast at the included buffet. It costs 15 AED per person. For more information, check the Jumeirah Mosque website here .

To visit Jumeirah mosque make sure you dress appropriately. Women and men must cover their legs and shoulders and women must cover the head. If you don’t have a scarf to cover your hair, you can buy one there. Additionally, they provide an abaya for women or kandora for men, if you are not dressed appropriately.

During this visit, they explain the basics of the Islamic religion including the purification ritual. You can also ask any questions about their culture and religion. This visit was very interesting, and I totally recommend it to anyone that wants to know more about their culture.

Next to Jumeirah Mosque is Ethiad Museum. This museum explains the founding of the UAE and information about the founding fathers of the seven different Emirates. It also includes a visit to the Union House, the birthplace of the UAE in 1971, and the Guest Palace.

The museum is huge and the building is a beautiful piece of architecture.

We didn’t have the time to visit this museum on this day because we had already a booking for Burj Khalifa in a couple of hours. So, we ended up visiting this museum on another day. If you have the time and want to know more about the foundation of UAE and its founding fathers, take a visit to this place. Admission costs 25 AED. You can buy the tickets when you arrive.

The next stop on our itinerary is Burj Khalifa—the highest building in the world with 828 meters.

The best way to get there is by metro. The entrance to the Burj Khalifa is made through Dubai Mall. There’s a metro station that stops at Dubai mall. So, this is a very convenient way to get there.

Dubai Mall is huge, so take some time to visit the mall and its attractions.

It is home to the biggest aquarium. You can see the aquarium from the outside for free. You can also get tickets for the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Make sure you get your tickets in advance. There’s a combo ticket that includes a visit to the Top of Burj Khalifa and a visit to the Aquarium and underwater zoo.

In the Dubai Mall, there’s also a very interesting waterfall that it’s worth visiting.

We ended up not visiting these attractions on this day, but make sure you take a look at them on the same day you visit Burj Khalifa if you have fewer days in Dubai.

If you want to go to the top of Burj Khalifa, make sure you buy your tickets in advance. You need to choose the day and time of your visit. Some hours are more expensive than others. You can get a ticket to floors 124 and 125 or a ticket that also includes floor 148. The ticket to floor 148 is almost four times more expensive than the other ticket. But, it may be worth it if you want to get a premium experience with fewer people.

You can get tickets to At The Top of Burj Khalifa using the Get Your Guide app. You can get a 10% discount code to use on your first purchase.

The Dubai Mall is huge and it might be a little difficult to get to the entrance of Burj Khalifa. Once you get into the mall, go down to the ground level, then catch the elevator to the lower ground (LG). After that, just follow the signs to At the top of Burj Khalifa . The visit to the Burj Khalifa might take some time. So, don’t go there hungry. You can eat something at the Mall food court. Or if you want to save some money like us, go to the Waitrose supermarket and eat something from there.

There were many people at the entrance to Burj Khalifa, but it was pretty quick to get to the elevators, around 20 minutes. The elevator is pretty fast and you can feel the changes in pressure on your ears.

Once you reach level 124, you can soak up the views around the building. There were many people at the top, all wanting to take pictures in the windows. It is pretty difficult to get some decent pictures with so many people and the reflections on the windows (depending on the time of the day).

Don’t forget to also go to level 125 using the stairs. The views are almost the same, but there are few people there, so it might be better to take some pictures.

We spent about one hour at the top and it was more than enough. The line for the elevator to go down took about 10 minutes.

If you don’t want to spend so much money to visit the top of Burj Khalifa, seeing it from the ground level, outside Dubai Mall is also a great experience.

Right outside the Dubai Mall, it’s where the famous Dubai Fountain Show takes place every day every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 10:30 PM (weekdays) or to 11:00 (weekends). It’s the world’s tallest performing fountain (as high as 140 meters). It takes about three minutes and it’s accompanied by different songs.

The show is free to watch. There are plenty of people waiting to see the show, but we were always able to get a good place.

If you want a better experience of the Dubai Fountain show, you can go on a traditional abra boat ride during the show .

There are plenty of restaurants around the fountain. We ended up having dinner at KFC with a great view of the fountain.

The whole area around the Dubai Fountain is worth visiting and exploring. We took some nice pictures at Downtown Palace and at the Burj Park at night and we saw the fountain show from several different angles.

We also visited the place where the famous Wings of Mexico are located. There was a line of people that wanted to take a picture there. To be honest, I didn’t find it much interesting, so I didn’t take a picture there.

After a long day, we took the bus and the metro to get back to our accommodation at Dubai Marina.

Cost of day 2 in Dubai:

• Lunch at the supermarket (2 pp): 9.5€
• Dinner KFC (2pp): 15€
• Jumeirah Mosque Visit (2pp): 7.5€
• At the top of Burj Khalifa level 124, and 125 (2pp): 88.50€
• Nol card + daily ticket (2pp): 11€

TOTAL: 129€ (2pp) → 64.5€ per person

Day 3 in Dubai: Mall of the Emirates, Old Dubai, and JBR

On our third day in Dubai, we visited the Mall of Emirates, the area of Old Dubai, and the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences) area. While we don’t think the Mall of the Emirates is worth a detour, Old Dubai is a must that you should not skip.

For this day, we topped up our nol card with a day ticket—the most convenient for all the trips we did on this day.

Day 2 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Mall of the Emirates (Ski Dubai)
• Al Seef, Al Fahidi, and Al Bastakiya Historic Neighbourhood, and traditional souks
• Dubai Museum
• Traditional Abra boat from Bur Dubai to Deira
• Traditional Deira souks: gold souk, spice souk, textile souk, and perfume souk
• JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences)
• Bluewaters Island (Ain Dubai – World’s biggest and tallest Ferris Wheel)

On this day, we needed to buy a power adapter. Because the Mall of the Emirates was on the way, we decided to make a stop there.

The Mall of the Emirates is house to the Ski Dubai. An indoor ski resort where you can ski, snowboard and experience other winter activities. You can actually see the ski slopes without having to actually enter Ski Dubai. In my opinion, the place was quite disappointing. You can’t see much from the outside, and the place seems quite small. Probably the experience is different if you pay to actually go there skiing. The prices are quite affordable for such an activity and they even provide all the gear.

As in other Malls in Dubai, there are plenty of places to eat. We eat at a super cheap Lebanese restaurant in the Mall. One menu was more than enough for the two of us.

In my opinion, this wasn’t worth the detour and there are better attractions in Dubai.

This part of Dubai is super interesting and different from all the other attractions and places. So, we really recommend visiting this area. To get there by public transportation, exit at the Bujurman Metro station.

After getting out of the metro station, we walked for about 15 minutes to Al Seef.

From there, we explored Al Fahidi and Al Bastakia Historic Neighbourhood. These places are super beautiful and showcase the old traditional Arabic houses and wind towers made of sandstone. There are plenty of places to take great pictures and souks where you can buy some souvenirs.

We also suggest taking a look at the Wall of Old Dubai and visiting Dubai Museum. The Dubai Museum is housed on the Al Fahidi Fort and it showcases Dubai’s history and its original heritage. Basically, you can see how people used to live before the discovery of oil in the UAE. The entrance fee is just 3 AED. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit, the museum was temporarily closed. But, we think it is well worth the visit. Combining this museum with the Ethiad museum will give you a better idea of Dubai’s history (both old and most recent events).

If you’re hungry, stop by the Arabian Tea House Restaurant and Cafe. This place is super well-rated and with great decoration for awesome pictures. We didn’t go there, we just passed by and it was almost full. If you want to take some good pictures, they have a set outside of the cafe where you can take pictures for free.

We continued walking to Deira Creek until Bur Dubai Station to ride a traditional abra boat to Bur Dubai at the other side of the creek. The journey takes about 5 minutes, and only costs 1 AED per person (you pay directly on board to the driver)—absolutely recommended. You can also book a private abra boat for a tour around Dubai Creek. While you’re waiting for the next boat, get some juice from the street sellers. We bought a pineapple juice (10 AED) and it was delicious.

Once we arrived at the Deira district, we explored the traditional souks: perfume souks, textile souks, spice souks, and the famous gold souk. The sellers are a bit pushy on these souks, but nothing out of this world, just say “no, thanks” and continue walking. If you don’t want to be bothered too much by the sellers on the souks, go in the late afternoon, after 4 PM for example. The sellers are already tired and won’t bother you too much. At least, that was what we experienced.

If you prefer, you can also take a guided tour of the souks and old Dubai . I think it must be a rich cultural experience.

If you want to buy something, don’t forget to haggle over the price. They will always start with a price that is way higher than it is worth—make sure you have an idea of the price of the things you want to buy so that you don’t end up paying more. For example, I’m sure I paid too much for a bracelet in a gemstone store, even though I could reduce the price to half. If you want to buy some simple souvenirs like magnets, little purses, and bookmarks, you’ll find plenty of options at very affordable prices.

At sunset, we returned to Bur Dubai, also by abra boat. We were presented with a magnificent sunset with seagulls flying over the water. You can also opt to catch a ferry to another part of Dubai. For example, we could have caught a Ferry to Dubai Marina. It would have been a good experience to see Dubai’s coastline from a different perspective.

After visiting old Dubai, we got back to Dubai Marina. From there, it’s just a 15-minute walk to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences).

This is a lively area by the coast along Marina beach and The Beach. It’s bordered by a promenade, the JBR Walk. The JBR Walk is filled with restaurants, stores, and perfume vendors. It’s also where you’ll see some people riding their luxury cars. We had dinner there at an Indian restaurant. If you fancy something more adventurous, you can have Dinner in The Sky. You’ll eat on a dining platform suspended by a crane—I’m sure you’ll get great views from there and a wonderful experience.

From JBR you have a lovely view of Ain Dubai, the world’s biggest and tallest Ferris wheel located on Bluewaters Island. If you like walking and you’re visiting in the winter, we recommend walking there and admiring the scenery of the super modern JBR skyscrapers. You can also opt for dining or eating ice cream at Bluewaters Island instead of JBR.

Cost of day 3 in Dubai

• Breakfast at the apartment (2pp): 3.5€ 
• Lunch at Dubai of the Emirates (2pp): 7.40€
• Pineapple juice: 2.50€
• Dinner at India Palace (2pp): 38.50€
• Souvenirs: 45€
• Top up Nol card with daily ticket (2pp): 10€
• Abra boat from Bur Dubai to Deira and return (2pp): 1€

Total: 108€ (2pp) → 54€ per person

Day 4 in Dubai: Desert Adventure

This is one of the top experiences you cannot miss in Dubai: a desert experience. You’ll need to book a guided tour to visit the desert. We book ours using Get Your Guide . There are many tour providers with different packages to choose from. All tours that I’ve seen will pick you up at your hotel or a place nearby. Choose yours accordingly to what you want to experience.

Here’s a list of the activities provided by most tour operators:

• Dune bashing : you go on a jeep that drives at different speeds over the soft dunes—this was our favorite part of the experience;
• Sandboarding : it’s similar to snowboarding but you go down on sand dunes—it was fun and not scary at all;
• Camel ride;
• Bedouin Camp visit with dinner included;
• Camp activities : shisha, henna painting, photos with falcons, and shows (tanoura, belly dance, and fire shows).

Dubai Desert Safari – How much does it cost?

The cost of a desert tour in Dubai will greatly vary depending on what’s included in the package. Group tours can start as low as around 30€ per person to 150€ depending on the tour operator and the activities included.

The cheapest Dubai desert tours usually include dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel ride. It’s a great option if you want to have a desert experience without spending a lot of money.

Most complete tours include all the activities like dune bashing, sandboarding, camel riding, quad biking, a visit to a bedouin camp with dinner or lunch, and camp activities.

The tour we booked costed around 50€ per person and it included dune bashing, sandboarding, camel ride, quad bike (for an extra cost), visit to a bedouin camp with dinner and camp activities (free and extra cost activities).

For you to have an idea of what a desert tour looks like, we’ll describe our experience. Please note that it might be different from other tour providers.

Dubai Desert Safari – What it’s like? Overview and our Opinion

When you book your tour, you need to provide the place where you’re staying and they will pick you up at your accommodation or at a place nearby. Our guide picked us up at around 2 PM. The car was a 4×4 Toyota Landrover and it takes 6 people plus the driver.

After picking up everyone, he drove for about 50 minutes to a meeting point with other cars from the same and other tour operators. The meeting point was basically a place on the road next to the desert with a cafe, restrooms, and several vendors selling the typical desert head scarf and souvenirs.

Quad Bike Ride

At the meeting point, there was a closed track if you wanted to ride a quad bike for an additional cost.

Some tours already have the quad bike option included (of course, they are more expensive). We opt not to do the quad bike activity. To be honest it didn’t seem worth it because it was in an enclosed flat terrain. I believe there are other tours with different quad-biking experiences where you actually ride in the desert. We stayed at this place for approximately 40 minutes. After that, all cars departed at the same time to the desert.

Stop for Pictures

We finally entered the desert terrain and just after three minutes, we made a stop to take some pictures. To be honest, there wasn’t much opportunity for nice pictures because all cars started arriving with people that also wanted to take pictures. So, it was a bit difficult to get some decent photos without cars or people in the background. Our guide was super nice and took some pictures of me and my boyfriend, even though they didn’t turn out that well.

The place is very different compared to what you see on Instagram pictures. You’re not that far from the road, you can see the buildings at the side of the road; there are some green bushes on the sand; there are many other people also having the same experience.

Dune Bashing

After approximately a 20-minute stop for pictures, the actual dune bashing started. This part was my favorite, the driver turned on some super cool music remixes while driving through the dunes. This is way more fun than it seems. When talking to the other guests on our tour, this was also their favorite part.

Sandboarding

Next, we stopped for sandboarding (our car and all the other cars on the tour). Our car was the first one to arrive at the sandboarding point, so we didn’t have to wait to experiment sandboarding for the first time. It was easy and super fun, so make sure you give it a try—it’s included in almost all desert experiences. While we waited for the others, we took a few more pictures.

It was time to go to the camp to ride the camels and have dinner. But before that, the drivers stopped in a place to adjust the tire pressure and clean the sand from the car. There were also some simple stores in this place. They will clean the sand from your feet and footwear for free but will push you into their stores to buy something.

Sunset and Camel Ride

After approximately 20 minutes, we headed to the camp for the sunset, camel ride, and dinner. The camel ride was included in our package, but we preferred not to do it and just watch the camels. I’m not a fan of riding animals, but these seemed very well looked after.

Additionally, the ride was pretty short, about two minutes. The line to ride the camels was not that long, so there’s no excuse if you really want to do it. They take a picture of you on the camels and will try to sell it during the dinner.

I was pretty disappointed with the sunset. The view from the camp wasn’t the best, and when we arrived the sun was already too low. I believe watching the sunset from the actual desert would be more interesting or if we have arrived earlier it would have been better.

Diner and Bedouin Camp Activities

Finally, we entered the camp. The camp looks pretty good with a nice decoration from the inside and there are some camp activities that you can do.

There was a designed shisha place where you can smoke for free (already included in the package). If you wanted to take it to your table you had to pay a small amount. You have access to unlimited soft drinks, but you’ll need to pay for alcohol. You can do a small (pretty small) henna tattoo for free. If you want something bigger, you’ll have to pay. You can also take pictures with a falcon for a small fee (there were other tour operators that already included this in the price).

When you entered the camp, you can get Arabic coffee and tea and you can go straight to the starters. To be honest I don’t know the name of what we eat. But you can take a look at the picture above.

After a while, the tanoura dance started. This is a folkloric dance performed by men with big skirts. The performer spins throughout the whole show without stopping. It’s pretty impressive and I really enjoyed this show. This was followed by a fire performance that was also pretty good.

Finally, it was time for dinner. There was a vegetable, salad, and sidedishes buffet and some traditional barbecue. There were plenty of options in the buffet. We were served generous portions and the barbecue was pretty good, especially the chicken skewers.

The dessert included some traditional pastries and food. Some of the cakes were good and others I didn’t appreciate that much.

The last performance was a belly dance show, which in my opinion wasn’t that good. The dancer was good, but the show was a bit awkward. Once the belly dance show was over we headed back to the car for our 50-minute drive to our accommodation. We arrived at our hotel around 10 PM.

Dubai Desert Safari — is it Worth it?

So, was the Dubai Desert Safari worth it? Absolutely. It’s a must, especially if you’ve never been to in the desert before. I described in detail our Dubai Desert Safari experience. Please note that it might be different depending on the tour provider. This was one of the highlights of our visit to Dubai and for the price (only 50€ per person with dinner included), it was well worth it.

There were some things that were not exactly as I was expecting, but that’s also part of the experience. The red sand dunes were beautiful and the colors are amazing. There are many camps spread throughout the desert land for different tour operators. Something that disappointed me a lot was the number of small plastics and plastic bottles on the sand dunes next to the camps.

There are other more complete and more expensive tours that include more activities. For example, some tours already include falcon pictures and Arabic attire, as well as quad biking. On our tour, this was not included in the price (it was available for a small fee). Those were not activities that we were interested in, so we thought it wasn’t worth it to pay more than 100€ per person.

See what the different tours have to offer and choose wisely. Some tours also offer spending the night in the desert with the possibility of stargazing—I believe this should be an amazing experience.

Cost of day 4 in Dubai

• Dinner (included in the desert tour)
• Dubai desert tour (2pp): 100€

Total: 104€ (2pp) → 52€ per person

Day 5 in Dubai: Etihad Museum, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, and Global Village

On this day we visited the Etihad museum, the Dubai Frame (the largest frame in the world), and the Global Village. An alternative to this itinerary is to visit the Museum of the Future instead of Dubai Frame and Miracle Garden instead of the Global Village.

Day 5 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Dubai Frame and/or Museum of the Future
• Global Village and/or Miracle Garden

If you’re visiting Jumeirah Mosque, we recommend visiting the Etihad museum on the same day because they are very close to each other. We didn’t have the time to visit on that day, so we decided to include it on this day. This museum explains the founding of the UAE and information about the founding fathers of the seven Emirates. You can visit the Union House and the Guest Palace. To go there you can catch the metro and then the bus. There’s a bus stop just a 5-minute’s walk from there.

The next stop on our day was the Dubai Frame. There’s a bus next to the Ethiad Museum that stops right at the entrance of the Dubai Frame. We had already bought our tickets in advance so we went straight to the entrance. We went on a Friday afternoon and it was pretty crowded. We had to wait approximately 30 minutes before entering the frame.

The visit starts by showing some representations of the craftsman in old Dubai and how life was to look like in the old days.

After that, you go by elevator to the top of the frame. It has a big glass wall, so you can actually see it going up. Once you reach the top, you can walk on a glass floor and see old Dubai on one side of the frame and modern Dubai on the other side. It’s quite interesting to see the differences between those places. You can also see the famous Sheik Zaeyd picture from there. We spent about 40 minutes at the top of the frame and it was more than enough.

Going down to the ground floor, you’ll be presented with some modern 3D projections showing what Dubai can look like in the future with modern technology. Right before going out, there is some information with statistics about the constructions of the frame.

Is Dubai Frame worth visiting? In my opinion, it depends. Dubai Frame is a great piece of architecture and the visit is a great experience. From the top, you can see old Dubai on one side of the frame, and modern Dubai on the other side. Even though I liked the visit, I don’t think it is a must, especially if you’ve already gotten to the top of Burj Khalifa and The View at the Palm. However, I absolutely recommend stopping by the frame to appreciate its nice architecture and taking some great pictures with the frame for free without having to go to the top.

We didn’t have to pay to go to the frame, because we’ve received credits to spend on attractions on Booking.com .

Instead of Dubai Frame, you may opt to go to the Museum of The Future. Or you can visit both. The Museum of the Future opened in February 2022, so it is a very recent attraction. It features several interactive exhibits about what Earth and our lives would look like in the future. I recommend booking your tickets way in advance. We really wanted to visit this museum and it was already sold out a month in advance. I’ve heard very good reviews about this museum, so don’t miss it.

Make sure you also take a look at the museum from the outside. The building’s architecture is unique and absolutely marvelous

After our visit to the Dubai frame, we got a taxi to Global Village. In our opinion, the best way to get there is by taxi. There are some packages that already include transportation when you book your tickets to the Global Village.

The Global Village is a themed park that features several pavilions representing different countries or continents of the world. You’ll find typical products, food, and dance shows from different countries. The park also features different amusement rides, that are not included in the ticket price.

There are many food stalls selling street food from different countries. We tried several different foods and everything was delicious. The park only opens in the late afternoon and is most beautiful after sunset, when they turn on all light decorations.

We really enjoyed our visit to Global Village and the admission ticket is super affordable, less than 6€. This is a great place, especially for those who have kids.

To get back to your accommodation, you can get a taxi when you exit. There’s a huge car park with a huge line of taxis (I’ve never seen so many taxis in the same place before).

Instead of Global Village, you may opt to visit the Miracle Garden. It’s only open during the winter and spring months. It is one of the world’s largest flower gardens and it features numerous flowers arranged in different shapes and patterns, one of the most famous is the A380 airbus, the Mickey Mouse sculpture, and the path with the heart-shaped decorations.

Here you’ll also find a butterfly garden, a floral castle, and various themed areas. We didn’t have the time to visit this place, but from the pictures we’ve seen, it seems out of this world.

Like the Global Village, the best way to get there is by taxi. You can also get packages with tickets and transportation included.

Cost of day 5 in Dubai

• Food at Global Village (2pp): 22.50€
• Top up Nol card with daily ticket (2pp):: 10€
• Taxi from Dubai Frame to Global Village: 19€
• Taxi from Global Village to Dubai Marina: 17.50€
• Ethiad Museum (2pp): 12.50€
• Dubai Frame: 0€ (paid with credits on Booking.com)
• Global Village: 0€ (paid with credits on Booking.com)

Total: 85€ (2pp) → 42.50€ per person

Day 6 in Dubai: Aquaventure Waterpark

On this day we visited the World’s largest waterpark, the Aquaventure Waterpark. We also visited the Dubai Mall Aquarium that we didn’t have the time to visit on the other days.

Day 6 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Aquaventure Waterpark
• Dubai Mall Aquarium

A Day at the Aquaventure Waterpark – What it’s Like

We love waterparks and amusement parks, so we shouldn’t miss a visit to the World’s Largest Waterpark, the Aquaventure Waterpark located at the Atlantis Hotel in Palm Jumeirah. If you’re staying at the Atlantis hotel, you can get free access to the waterpark. You can also get free access on the week of your anniversary.

The entrance to the Aquaventure Waterpark was not cheap. It cost approximately 80€ per person. There are other affordable options like the Wild Wadi waterpark, or Legoland aimed at the younger crowds.

If you’re not a fan of waterparks, you may opt to go to an amusement park, some of the best options are MotionGate and Warner Bros, Bollywood, or IMG Worlds of Adventure.

We arrived at the Aquaventure Waterpark before the opening time, and there were just a few people. You can rent a locker to save your most valuable stuff, but most people just let their bags on the sunbeds. We also left our stuff on the sunbeds without any problem. Because we like to travel light, we diddn’t bring our watershoes, but no problem, we can get water socks for free from the Guest Services stalls along the park.

The best rides are divided around three main towers: Tower of Neptune, Tower of Poseidon, and Trident Tower. We experimented almost all rides on these towers in the morning without any crowds. We even repeated some of the rides.

There are also two great areas for the little ones: the Splashers Island & Mountain, and the Splashers Lagoon & Cove. You can also find experiences with dolphins and sea lions. Additionally, you also get access to the Aquaventure Beach. To be honest, with such a big waterpark, I don’t think it’s worth to spend your time on the beach when you paid so much for the waterpark entrance.

There are several places where you can eat. We ordered a hot dog menu for the two of us and it was just the right amount so that we could get back to the slides right after.

In the afternoon the lines were bigger and sometimes the waiting times were up to 45 minutes. If you don’t want to wait in the lines you can buy a Aquaexpress pass to skip the lines.

We visited the waterpark in the Winter (February 2023) and around 4 PM it started to get a little bit chilly. Even though, we stayed in the water until closing time.

There are changing rooms next to the exit, where you can change clothes and have a shower, but it was super crowded at closing time.

After your visit to the Aquaventure Waterpark, you can visit the Lost Chamber Aquarium. You can get a combined ticket for both attractions. We did not visit the Aquarium but we’ve seen beautiful pictures of it.

At the exit of the Atlantis, we got a free shuttle bus to Marina Mall. We didn’t even know this kind of shuttle existed, it was pure luck that we found it at the exit.

How to Visit Aquaventure Waterpark? Our tips

After visiting Aquaventure Waterpark, here are our best tips to make the most out of your visit:

• Go on a weekday for fewer crowds (except Friday);
• Buy your tickets in advance;
• Arrive early, around 30 minutes before opening time;
• When you arrive (early), go straight to the rides. We were able to experience all the best rides without waiting in line;
• Get free water socks in the Guest Services stalls for free to protect your feet;
• Food portions are big. Share a portion with your partner. It will save money and you’ll be able to go back to the rides after a few minutes;

Dubai Downtown (Again)

Since it was still early when we left the Waterpark, we decided to visit Dubai Downtown (Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and Fountain Show) again. We visited the Dubai Mall Aquarium (just from the outside, but you can buy tickets for a complete experience), and watched the Fountain Show several more times. We had Dinner at Five Guys with a view of the Dubai Fountain.

Cost of day 6 in Dubai

• Lunch at Aquaventure Aquapark (2pp): 18€
• Dinner at Five Guys (2pp): 38€
• Ice cream at Dubai Mall: 4.80€
• Taxi from Dubai Marina to Aquaventure: 12.50€
• 2-zone ticket nol card (2 trips) (2pp): 6€
• Aquaventure Waterpark (2pp): 160€

Total: 243€ (2pp) → 121.50€ per person

Day 7 in Dubai: Day Trip to Abu Dhabi and Going Back Home

Our flight back home departed from Abu Dhabi airport around 10 PM, so we decided to visit the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque on this day.

If your flight is from Dubai airport, maybe it is better to go on a complete guided tour of Abu Dhabi. It includes the most famous Abu Dhabi highlights including the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. There are plenty of tour options to choose from.

Day 7 in Dubai: Visited Places and Activities

• Battuta Mall
• Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

Visiting Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

Visiting the Sheik Zayed Grande Mosque is free, but you need to register before. You can register on site or in advance. We registered when we arrived. The entrance to the mosque is done via a shopping mall. There, you can register for your visit. There are plenty of stores where you can buy a hijab and abaya or have something to eat. There’s also a cloakroom where you can leave your belongings. We didn’t know this beforehand and we paid to store our backpacks at the airport.

To visit the Mosque both men and women need to cover their shoulders and legs. Additionally, women need to cover the head. If you’re visiting during the day, we also recommend using sunglasses, the light reflection on the white marble makes it difficult to open your eyes.

I don’t have words to describe the beauty of the Mosque and the attention to detail that was put into building this place. It’s absolutely breathtaking. You can take pictures at the mosque without any problem. The best places for pictures are even marked with a photo stop sign.

There are free guided visits to the mosque. Check the timetable at the entrance. We took the guided visit and we enjoyed it very much. The guide explains some interesting facts about the Mosque’s architecture and you can also walk on the carpet inside the Mosque while he explains all the details. Did you know that it has the largest hand-woven carpet in the world?

We recommend spending some time in the Mosque and waiting for the sunset so that you can see the Mosque at night.

After our visit to the Mosque, we headed to the airport, which was just 15 minutes by taxi.

Qasr Al Watan (if you still have time)

If you still have time in Abu Dhabi, consider visiting the Qasr Al Watan, a beautiful presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates. The entrance is not free. Prices start at around 17€. I’ve seen some pictures of the Palace and it is stunning. A visit not to miss if you have more time in Abu Dhabi.

Most Abu Dhabi day tours already include this in their itinerary.

Cost of day 7 in Dubai:

• Breakfast at the apartment (2pp): 3.5€
• Lunch at Battuta Mall (2pp): 17€
• Dinner at the Abu Dhabi Airport (1 menu for 2): 15€
• 1-zone nol ticket (2pp): 2€
• Bus from Battuta Mall to Abu Dhabi Airport (2pp): 18€
• Taxi from Abu Dhabi Airport to Sheik Zayed Mosque: 15€
• Taxi from Sheik Zayed Mosque to Abu Dhabi Airport: 15€
• Luggage storage at the airport: 14€

Total: 99.50€ (2pp) → 50€ per person

Itinerary Suggestions for 1, 2, and 3 Days in Dubai

If you’ll spend fewer days in Dubai, adjust the itinerary accordingly to the activities you would like to do. The places we recommend if you just have a few days are Burj Khalifa and the whole Dubai Downtown area, Old Dubai, and a Desert Adventure.

1-Day Dubai Itinerary

If this is your first time in Dubai, and you only have one day, we recommend visiting Burj Khalifa and the whole nearby area. You’ll find plenty of things to do to keep you busy all day.

Here’s our suggestion of things to do if you only have one day in Dubai:

• Go to At The Top of Burj Khalifa
• Visit Dubai Mall and the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Watch the Dubai Fountain Show
• Explore the whole Dubai Downtown area

2-Days Dubai Itinerary

If you have two days to spend in Dubai, and you’re a first-time visitor, we recommend visiting Burj Khalifa and the whole nearby area and Old Dubai. Alternatively, you can also visit Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina instead of Old Dubai.

Here’s our suggestion for a 2-day itinerary in Dubai:

• Learn about arabic culture and Islam on a visit to Jumeirah Mosque
• Explore Al Seef, Al Fahidi, and Al Bastakia Historic Neighbourhood
• Shop on traditional souks: gold souk, spice souk, textile souk, and perfume souk
• Visit Dubai Museum
• Go on a Traditional Abra boat from Bur Dubai to Deira
• See Palm Jumeirah from The View at the Palm
• Go on a Monorail ride at Palm Jumeirah
• Relax at the Pointe (best view to Atlantis hotel)
• Explore Souk Madinat and appreciate the views of Burj Al Arab
• Go for a stroll on Marina Walk

3-Days Dubai Itinerary

If you have three days in Dubai, we recommend adding a desert tour to the previous suggestions.

7 Days in Dubai – Total Cost Breakdown

How much did we spend on our seven-day trip to Dubai? In total, we spent approximately 2760€ for the two of us. Which means 1380€ per person. This price will greatly vary depending on where you’re flying from, what type of accommodation you’re staying in, and the places you’re eating.

We went on low-cost flights with layovers in European cities. We went with Ryanair and with WizzAir (basic option, only personal item).

Our accommodation was a bit on the expensive side because we didn’t book in advance. You’ll find better prices if you book in advance. Of course, you can spend way more if you want to stay in luxury hotels, or way less if you stay in more affordable areas like Bur Dubai or Deira.

We used mostly public transportation, we had breakfast at the apartment with what we bought from the grocery store. We skipped lunch many days and on other days we ate something from the supermarket. For dinner, we ate mostly at fast-food and low-cost restaurants.

As for the activities, we did all the activities we wanted, including a day in the Aquaventure Waterpark, which was a bit more expensive than the other activities.

See the detailed costs in the table below:

Cost of 7 days in Dubai

Flights way and back from Portugal with layover in European cities (Ryanair + WizzAir)

308€ per person

Accommodation (7 nights in Dubai Marina)

1100€ (2pp)

Transportation

207€ per person

Travel Insurance

32.50€ per person for seven days

Other expenses

Approximately 1380€ per person

Wrapping Up

In this travel guide, we shared with you our detailed 7-day Dubai itinerary. We also suggested other itinerary options if you have fewer days in Dubai. In our opinion, the whole area around Burj Khalifa should not be missed, you can visit it if you have a 24-hour layover in Dubai. Besides that area, I really liked visiting Old Dubai. The desert experience was one of the highlights of our trip.

We shared our honest opinion about the places we visited, our top tips, and the total cost breakdown of our trip. Finally, we would like to share a summary of our best tips:

Tips For Visiting Dubai

After visiting Dubai, here are some of our best tips:

• Visit Dubai in the Winter months.
• Use public transportation—it’s very affordable.
• Install the Careem app to get a taxi. You can also get a taxi from the street—the starting fee is cheaper than in the Careem app. Getting a taxi is cheaper than Uber.
• If you’re going to a lot of different places in one day, get a nol day ticket.
• If you’re on a budget, have lunch at the supermarkets. They provide several options at very affordable prices.
• Eat at the Mall. All Malls we’ve been to in Dubai have a wide range of restaurant chains. You’ll save some money if you eat at the Mall rather than at a “real” restaurant.
• Book your activities in advance to avoid waiting in lines and to secure your spot.

Have you been to Dubai? Share with us your best tips. Do you have any doubts about our itinerary? You can write a comment down below.

We hope you found this travel guide useful.

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The Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

Dubai Travel Guide - Are you currently in the process of organizing a journey to Dubai? You are about to experience a delightful surprise.

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• Updated: December 7, 2023
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Dubai Travel Guide – Are you currently in the process of organizing a journey to Dubai? You are about to experience a delightful surprise.

Our complete Dubai travel guide has everything you need to make your vacation to this dynamic city unforgettable.

Dubai offers everything—beautiful architecture, world-class shopping, delicious food, and thrilling desert excursions.

Dubai has something for everyone—luxury, adventure, and culture. So saddle up and prepare to conquer this stunning city!

What awaits you in Dubai? Stop looking elsewhere! Our complete Dubai travel guide covers prominent sites, must-see neighborhoods, and local suggestions.

Table of Contents

• 0.1 Summary & Key Takeaways
• 1.1 Geography and Climate
• 1.2.1 Air Travel
• 1.2.2 Road Travel
• 1.2.3 Sea Travel
• 1.3.1 Luxury Hotels
• 1.3.2 Budget Hotels
• 1.3.3 Vacation Rentals
• 1.4.1 Burj Khalifa
• 1.4.2 The Dubai Mall
• 1.4.3 Palm Jumeirah
• 1.5.1 Desert Safaris
• 1.5.2 Water Parks
• 1.5.3 Shopping
• 1.6.1 Dubai Museum
• 1.6.2 Jumeirah Mosque
• 1.6.3 Cultural Tours
• 1.7.1 Local Delicacies
• 1.7.2 Fine Dining
• 1.7.3 Street Food
• 1.8.1 Traditional Souks
• 1.8.2 Mall Shopping
• 1.8.3 Gold and Spice Souks
• 1.9.1 Metro and Public Buses
• 1.9.2 Taxis and Ride-Sharing
• 1.10 From Skyscrapers to Sandy Dunes: Your Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide
• 1.11.1 How many days in Dubai are enough?
• 1.11.2 How much should I budget for a trip to Dubai?
• 1.11.3 Can I plan a Dubai trip on my own?
• 1.11.4 What are the rules for female tourists in Dubai?

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Overview of Dubai : Often perceived as a luxury stopover, Dubai is a city with deep cultural roots and a range of activities that go beyond its glitzy surface. It's a blend of conservative culture and a Middle-Eastern version of Las Vegas.
• Burj Khalifa : The world's tallest building with observation decks offering panoramic views.
• Desert Safari : A day-long adventure in the desert, including jeep tours and traditional food.
• Global Village : A cultural and entertainment extravaganza showcasing Middle Eastern cultures.
• Dubai Miracle Garden : The world's largest natural flower garden with over 150 million flowers.
• Kite Beach : Popular for kitesurfing and water sports, with various amenities.
• Exploring the Marina, shopping malls, and the Grand Mosque.
• Visiting old Dubai for a traditional experience.
• Enjoying the Jumeirah Beach and Palm Islands.
• Experiencing local and international cuisine in various restaurants.
• Hostel and budget hotel prices are provided with an average cost for food, transportation, and attractions.
• Three suggested budgets: Backpacker (260 AED/day), Mid-range (870 AED/day), Luxury (1,425 AED/day).
• Use Groupon and The Entertainer for discounts.
• Eat in Old Dubai for cheaper meals.
• Choose accommodations near the metro for convenience and cost-effectiveness.
• Use a reusable water bottle as tap water is safe to drink.
• Accommodations : Limited hostels available; advance booking recommended.
• Public transportation is efficient with a metro and bus system.
• Taxis and ridesharing options like Uber and Careem are available.
• Bicycles can be rented for short trips.
• Car rental is advised only for trips outside the city.
• Best Time to Visit : November to April for cooler weather; avoid May to August due to extreme heat.
• Safety Tips : Dubai is generally safe, but conservative behavior and dress are advised. Awareness of local laws, especially regarding public behavior and photography, is important.
• Travel Insurance : Recommended for all travelers.
• Booking Resources : Various recommended platforms for booking flights, accommodations, and tours.

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Unlock the Wonders of Dubai: Your Complete Travel Handbook

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Dubai is an incredible city that provides a one-of-a-kind blend of luxury, culture, and adventure.

Whether you want to explore towering buildings, engage in world-class shopping, or immerse yourself in the rich Arabic culture, Dubai has plenty for anyone.

In this comprehensive Dubai travel guide, we will take you on a journey through the geography, attractions, activities, cuisine, and transportation options that Dubai has to offer.

Geography and Climate

Tucked away on the Arabian Peninsula in the bustling Middle East, Dubai is nestled on the southeastern coastline of the Persian Gulf, staking its claim as the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Now, don’t go thinking it’s all vast expanses, though. With an area covering just around 1,588 square miles, it’s a bit of a pocket rocket in terms of land size.

But, don’t let its compact size fool you! This city is like a Pandora’s box, jam-packed with an endless treasure trove of attractions and experiences waiting to be explored . Dubai’s got more than just a few aces up its sleeve!

One thing to note – Dubai serves up a healthy dose of heat! With a climate that’s as dry as a bone, you can expect sweltering summers that often tip the scales at a toasty 104°F (40°C).

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A visit during these months means you’ll want to drink like a fish and slather on sun protection to keep from frying like an egg under that relentless sun.

On the flip side, winter in Dubai is a whole different ball game.

Picture perfect days ranging from a mild 64°F (18°C) to a balmy 86°F (30°C), making it an idyllic time to play tourist and explore the city . So, folks, pack your bags and let’s dive headfirst into the wonders of Dubai!

Dubai Travel Guide: Getting to Dubai

Embarking on an adventure to Dubai? We’ve got you covered! Navigating your way to this gleaming jewel in the United Arab Emirates is a breeze with our handy guide.

From flights to visas, let’s unpack the essentials of getting to Dubai, your gateway to an unforgettable vacation.

Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the busiest airports in the world, serves the city.

It is well-connected to major cities worldwide, with multiple airlines providing direct flights to Dubai. When you arrive at the airport, you can take a cab, metro, or bus to the city center.

Road Travel

If you want to travel to Dubai, there is a network of motorways connecting it to other emirates in the UAE and other countries.

Dubai’s roadways are well-kept, and driving in the city is quite simple. Keep in mind, though, that Dubai’s traffic can be crowded at peak hours.

Dubai is also a popular cruise destination, with several cruise lines including a stop in the city on their itineraries.

If you arrive by boat in Dubai, you will dock at the Dubai Cruise Terminal, which is conveniently positioned in the city center.

Our Recommended Accommodations in Dubai

Social Hotel formerly Byblos

Barsha Heights (Tecom) , Dubai

4 (1,142 reviews)

The H Dubai

Trade Center Area, Dubai

5 (1,848 reviews)

Canal access Studio, 1 min walk to Business Bay Marina

Business Bay, Dubai

3.42 (246 reviews)

Leva Hotel and Suites, Opposite Downtown

Al Wasl, Dubai

4 (7,179 reviews)

LUX The Supreme Burj Residence Suite

Downtown Dubai, Dubai

3.42 (2 reviews)

Landmark Plaza Hotel

Deira, Dubai

3 (1,207 reviews)

Parkside Hotel Apartment

Discovery Gardens, Dubai

3.42 (440 reviews)

Royal Marina Inn

Dubai Marina, Dubai

4 (1,447 reviews)

Height. Great view.

Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

3.42 (21 reviews)

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah, Dubai

5 (818 reviews)

Dubai offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. From luxurious hotels to cozy vacation rentals, you will find the perfect place to stay during your visit .

Luxury Hotels

If you are looking for a lavish experience, Dubai is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

From the iconic Burj Al Arab, known as the world’s only seven-star hotel, to the Atlantis, The Palm, which is located on the stunning Palm Jumeirah island, these hotels offer unparalleled luxury and indulgence.

Budget Hotels

For travelers on a budget, Dubai also has a variety of budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses.

These accommodations provide comfortable rooms and convenient amenities at an affordable price, allowing you to save money while still enjoying your stay in Dubai.

Vacation Rentals

If you prefer a more home-like experience, consider booking a vacation rental in Dubai. There are numerous options available, ranging from apartments to villas, many of which offer stunning views of the city’s skyline or the Arabian Gulf.

Vacation rentals are a great choice for families or larger groups, as they usually provide more space and privacy than traditional hotel rooms.

Top Dubai Attractions

Dubai is known for its iconic landmarks, modern architecture, and unique attractions. Here are some must-visit attractions in Dubai:

Burj Khalifa

Photo by Riyas Mohammed

No visit to Dubai is complete without a trip to the Burj Khalifa. Standing at a towering height of 2,722 feet (829.8 meters), the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world.

Take an elevator ride to the observation deck on the 148th floor, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and beyond.

The Dubai Mall

Photo by Noah Bikoro

Adjacent to the Burj Khalifa is The Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. With over 1,200 retail outlets, including high-end fashion brands and international retailers,

The Dubai Mall offers a shopper’s paradise. Don’t forget to explore its entertainment offerings, such as the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo or the famous Dubai Fountain show, which takes place on the mall’s waterfront promenade.

Palm Jumeirah

Photo by Thomas Haas

Shaped like a palm tree, Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island that stretches out into the Arabian Gulf.

It is home to luxurious resorts, such as Atlantis, The Palm, and offers a stunning coastline with pristine beaches.

Take a walk along the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk or indulge in water sports activities such as jet skiing or paddleboarding.

Exciting Activities and Entertainment in Dubai

Photo by ZQ Lee

Dubai offers a multitude of activities and entertainment options that cater to all tastes and preferences. Here are some popular choices:

Desert Safaris

Embark on a thrilling desert safari and experience the beauty of Dubai’s vast sand dunes. Take a ride on a 4×4 vehicle through the desert, try sandboarding, or enjoy a mesmerizing sunset over the dunes.

You can also indulge in a traditional Bedouin-style dinner and live entertainment, including belly dancing and henna painting.

Water Parks

Escape the heat and have a splashing good time at one of Dubai’s water parks. Aquaventure Waterpark, located at Atlantis, The Palm, offers thrilling water slides and a unique aquarium experience.

Wild Wadi Waterpark, situated in front of the iconic Burj Al Arab, is another popular choice, featuring adrenaline-pumping rides and wave pools.

Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, with a multitude of shopping options. From traditional souks to modern malls, you are sure to find whatever you’re looking for.

Explore the traditional souks, such as the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk, where you can haggle for unique jewelry, spices, and traditional Arabian goods.

If you prefer a more modern shopping experience, head to the Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates, which offer a wide range of international brands and designer boutiques.

Cultural Experiences in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Photo by Fernando Jorge

While Dubai is known for its modernity, it also offers a wealth of cultural experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in the local traditions and heritage. Here are some cultural highlights:

Dubai Museum

Located in the historic Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum offers a glimpse into the city’s past. Explore the exhibits that showcase traditional Emirati life, ancient artifacts, and archaeological findings.

The museum provides a fascinating insight into Dubai’s transformation from a small fishing village to a global metropolis.

Jumeirah Mosque

Photo by Mitesh

Visit the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, one of the most significant landmarks in Dubai. This stunning mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors and offers guided tours that provide an in-depth understanding of Islamic culture and traditions.

Cultural Tours

Take a cultural tour of Dubai to explore its diverse neighborhoods and learn about the city’s heritage.

From the vibrant Al Fahidi Historic District to the picturesque Bastakiya Quarter, these tours offer a deeper understanding of Dubai’s local culture, art, and architecture.

Cuisine and Dining in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a melting pot of cuisines, offering a wide range of culinary delights that will satisfy every palate.

Here are some dining options to consider:

Local Delicacies

Indulge in traditional Emirati cuisine and savor flavors such as lamb machbous, a spiced rice dish, or harees, a creamy wheat and meat dish. You can also try local delicacies such as camel meat, which is available in select restaurants.

Fine Dining

Dubai is a haven for food enthusiasts, with numerous fine dining restaurants helmed by renowned chefs.

From Michelin-starred establishments to celebrity chef-owned restaurants, you can indulge in gourmet cuisine from around the world.

Street Food

For a more casual dining experience, explore Dubai’s street food scene. Head to the city’s vibrant food markets, known as souks, and sample delicious treats such as shawarmas, falafels, and kunafa, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert.

Shopping Experience in Dubai

Dubai is famous for its shopping, offering a wide range of retail therapy options to suit every taste. Here are some shopping highlights:

Traditional Souks

Experience the authentic charm of Dubai’s traditional markets, known as souks. The Gold Souk is a bustling market where you can find exquisite gold jewelry, while the Spice Souk offers a sensory experience with its aromatic spices and herbs. Don’t forget to haggle for the best prices!

Mall Shopping

Dubai is home to numerous world-class shopping malls that offer an unparalleled shopping experience.

From the luxurious Mall of the Emirates to the elegant Dubai Mall, you can find everything from high-end fashion brands to electronics and homeware.

Gold and Spice Souks

If you are looking for a unique shopping experience, head to the Gold and Spice Souks in Deira. In these vibrant markets, you will find an array of gold and precious gems, as well as a variety of aromatic spices.

Exploring these souks is an exciting way to immerse yourself in the local culture and discover hidden treasures.

Transportation Options in Dubai

Dubai’s transportation system is efficient and well-developed, making it easy to get around the city. Here are some transportation options:

Metro and Public Buses

Dubai has a modern and extensive metro system that connects major attractions and neighborhoods.

The Dubai Metro is clean, reliable, and offers a cost-effective way to travel around the city . If you prefer buses, Dubai’s public bus network covers most areas, providing an affordable mode of transportation.

Taxis and Ride-Sharing

Taxis are readily available in Dubai and are a convenient way to get around, especially if you prefer door-to-door service.

You can easily hail a taxi on the street or book one through a taxi app. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Careem are also popular and provide an alternative to taxis.

From Skyscrapers to Sandy Dunes: Your Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide

Photo by David Rodrigo

Dubai, pals, is an out-of-this-world destination, boasting a smorgasbord of experiences to tickle any traveler’s fancy.

You’re in for a treat, whether you’re itching to gawk at architectural marvels, splurge on posh shopping sprees, or dive headfirst into the local culture.

From the sky-kissing Burj Khalifa to the lively, scent-filled souks, each nook and cranny of this city is a treasure trove of wonders .

So, what are you waiting for?

Stuff your suitcase and buckle up for an unforgettable Dubai escapade, where a blend of luxury, thrill, and warm Arabian hospitality is ready to roll out the red carpet for you.

Hold on to your hats, folks, because Dubai is all set to blow your socks off!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days in dubai are enough.

For a comprehensive Dubai experience, a stay of 4 to 7 days is typically recommended. This duration allows you to explore the city's major landmarks like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Fountain, as well as enjoy desert safaris, explore traditional markets (souks), and relax on the beaches. If you're interested in day trips to nearby emirates like Abu Dhabi, consider extending your stay.

How much should I budget for a trip to Dubai?

The budget for a Dubai trip can vary greatly depending on your travel style and choices. For a budget traveler, planning around $70 to $100 per day can cover basic accommodation, public transport, and modest dining. For a mid-range experience, budget around $150 to $250 per day for better accommodations, more dining options, and activities like desert safaris or entry to attractions. Luxury travelers should budget $300 or more per day, as Dubai offers a range of high-end experiences. Keep in mind that shopping, high-end dining, and certain experiences like skydiving or luxury desert tours will increase your budget.

Can I plan a Dubai trip on my own?

Absolutely, you can plan a Dubai trip on your own. Dubai is well-equipped for tourists, with extensive information available online for hotels, activities, and transportation. The city is known for being safe and having an efficient public transport system, making it relatively straightforward for independent travelers to navigate. However, consider researching local customs, rules, and necessary bookings for popular attractions in advance.

What are the rules for female tourists in Dubai?

Female tourists in Dubai should be mindful of local customs and laws to ensure a respectful and trouble-free visit. While Dubai is modern and relatively liberal, it is still important to dress modestly, especially in public areas like shopping malls and when using public transport. This typically means avoiding excessively tight or revealing clothing and ensuring shoulders and knees are covered. In more traditional areas and when visiting mosques, it's advisable to cover your arms and legs fully. Public displays of affection should be minimal, and cohabitation for unmarried couples, while generally overlooked, is technically illegal. It's also important to note that during Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited.

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