planning a dubai trip

Traveling to Dubai for the First Time (2024): 19 Tips & Tricks

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 26, 2024

Traveling to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) for the first time  and not sure where to start? Indeed, planning a trip to Dubai might be overwhelming, even more so if this is your first time in this rapidly growing and continuously changing city!

When is the best time to visit? How much time do you need in Dubai? What are the best areas to stay in and how to travel around? Do you need to pre-book tickets or can you just go with the flow? How to save time and money and still see the best that Dubai has to offer?

Dubai is a city of contrasts, a place where modern extravagance and traditional values go hand in hand. From its towering skyscrapers to its pristine beaches and bustling souks, visiting Dubai is like stepping into a different world…

To help you plan your first trip to this dynamic and unique city, in this guide we share some of our top travel tips for visiting Dubai .

We have visited Dubai several times and all the information and tips in this article are based on our personal experience. Some of these tricks we only learned after several trips…

This practical guide includes all the info I wish we had known before planning a trip to Dubai. These tips will not only help you plan your trip, but will also show you how to make the best of your visit, time, and budget. Find out!

Top 5 Experiences in Dubai:

• Burj Khalifa (book in advance + opt for the level 148 ticket for priority access).
• Desert Safari.
• Museum of the Future (book well in advance!).
• Luxury Yacht Tour .
• Abu Dhabi Day Trip .

Here are our top travel tips for visiting Dubai:

1. Avoid Traveling in Summer

Dubai is known for its scorching temperatures, especially during the summer months. To give you an idea, average daytime temperatures during June, July, and August are well over 40°C (104°F). Even in April or November, Dubai temperatures usually still exceed 30°C (86°F).

The best time to visit Dubai is during the winter months – between December and February. The daytime temperatures at this time of the year are usually around 25°C (77°F). So it’s still warm enough to enjoy beaches, pools, and waterparks, but the temperatures are also pleasant for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Good to know: Winter is also the peak tourist season in Dubai. So expect accommodation prices to be higher and more crowds at the main attractions. However, with some advance planning and preparation, you can still have a very enjoyable visit, more than in the summer.

The shoulder season – the months of March-April or October-November – can be a good time to visit Dubai as well. If you don’t mind temperatures of around 30-35°C (86-95°F), you can take advantage of somewhat lower prices and fewer crowds than in the winter.

In addition, you may want to check when Ramadan is. During this month, most Muslims do not eat from sunrise to sunset, so many restaurants will be closed during the day. This may might impact your experience, depending on the places you visit.

TIP: No matter when you visit Dubai, be prepared for the heat by wearing lightweight, breathable clothing, using sun protection, and staying hydrated. Plan outdoor activities for the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak heat.

READ ALSO: What It’s Like to Visit Dubai in February

2. Book Attraction Tickets in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning a trip to Dubai is not to plan/book attraction tickets in advance.

Booking in advance means more time slots to choose from, better prices, and less time wasted queuing.  After all, you want to make the most of your trip to Dubai and not spend all your precious time standing in lines.

Good to know: Tickets to many popular attractions in Dubai are often sold out at least a few days in advance. Furthermore, many tickets are cheaper if booked online. In addition, some attraction tickets, e.g. Atlantis Aquaventure , cost less if you book at least a week before your visit.

For some places, not reserving in advance means that you won’t be able to visit at all.  For example, the Museum of the Future is so popular that all tickets are usually sold out at least 2-3 weeks upfront. If you want to be able to choose the time slot that fits you best, you need to book at least a month in advance.

If you want to visit observation decks at Burj Khalifa or Dubai Frame , you also need to book ahead. In most cases, a few days in advance is sufficient, but it really depends on the period when you travel and how flexible you are. Also, consider visiting these attractions early in the morning or late in the evening for smaller crowds and better photo opportunities.

PRO TIP: For Burj Khalifa, we recommend getting a ticket that includes Level 148 . Not only you get to visit another level which is not included with standard tickets, but you also get skip-the-line access through the security check and at the elevators, and it includes some snacks and drinks. It’s well worth it.

Overall, we always recommend booking tickets and tours at least a month before your trip. But keep in mind that for many popular destinations worldwide booking a month or even two upfront is not sufficient anymore.

Tickets don’t get cheaper and there’s less availability the longer you wait. Plus, if you use GetYourG u ide for all attraction tickets and tours like we do, you can take advantage of their very flexible cancelation policy.

Good to know: Booking tickets/tours via websites like GetYourGuide , Viator , or Tiqets also saves you money on exchange rates. The exchange rate they use is the official rate and transactions are in your currency. Whereas if you pay on the spot, it will usually cost you quite a lot more (not only because many tickets are more expensive at the counter, but also because of credit card fees, exchange rate deviations, etc.).

Plus, booking and paying ahead makes it easier to budget for your vacation and keep your credit card’s spending limit available for other expenses during your trip.

READ ALSO: Top Places to See & Things to Do in Dubai

3. Foresee Enough Time & Plan Wisely

There is one thing that you may not realize as a first-time visitor to Dubai and that’s how huge the city is. It’s not a place that you can compare to cities like Rome or London , or even New York City where you can still walk between many attractions and see a lot in a short time…

Dubai is totally different! It’s big, not really walkable (except in some areas), and the attractions are spread out all over the enormous and ever-growing city.

Plus, road works and traffic jams turn every ride into an expedition. The same trip that takes 20 minutes at night or early in the morning can take you an hour or even longer during the day. And yes, public transport can be a good option, but it also has its limitations – more about it further below.

Good to know: When planning your sightseeing itinerary, you will see that most Dubai attractions work with timed entry slots. Be sure to foresee plenty of extra time everywhere though! Even with timed entry tickets, you will often be standing in line for an hour or even longer, not to mention the time that it takes to actually visit the place or get from one attraction to the other.

TIP: So while planning what to see and do, foresee enough extra time between the sights and don’t try to do too much in a single day. Also, group the attractions based on their location, and go for a mix of top attractions with some lesser-known ones. That way, you don’t have to rush from one queue to another and your trip will be much more relaxed.

This brings us to the next tip – see below.

4. Don’t Try to See Everything

There is so much to see and do in Dubai that you could easily stay here for a few months and still not experience everything the area has to offer. So resist FOMO and the urge of having to see ‘everything’. It’s simply impossible, especially if you are only traveling to Dubai for just a few days or a week.

TIP: Choose a few places, attractions, and experiences that interest you the most and focus on those rather than ticking off boxes just because some guidebook told you that one or the other place is ‘a must’.

If you absolutely want to go to the top of Burj Khalifa, well – just do it and tick it off your bucket list. After all, how often will you get a chance to visit the world’s tallest building… In that case, book tickets in advance and be prepared to queue, or save time and avoid the crowds with priority access .

On the other hand, maybe you are perfectly content just seeing the building from the outside and rather spend your time visiting other viewing platforms like Sky Views , the View at The Palm , or Dubai Frame …

Or maybe you don’t care about any of these at all and much rather spend a day at a water park , exploring the old town souks (markets), or enjoying the views from a luxury yacht …

Dubai has so much to offer to all types of travelers. So personalize your itinerary based on what you really want to do, taking into account the time that you have, your interests, and your budget. If you are visiting Dubai with the family, try to incorporate some fun activities for the kids in your itinerary as well, even if it means that you’ll have less time for sightseeing.

READ ALSO: Dubai Itinerary (detailed guide for a week in Dubai)

5. Consider Tours & Private Drivers

If you want to see a lot of Dubai in a short time or you don’t know where to even start deciding where to go, consider booking tours or private guides/drivers .

Sometimes, a private driver can also be cheaper than taking a taxi between all those places, and often, you can also find cars that can take up to 6 passengers (vs 4 in most taxis).

Just to be clear, I am talking about quickly seeing multiple places all over the city in a single day. If you want to spend more time exploring the sites, you better go on your own.

There are tons of different ‘city highlights’ tours that bring you to many of the main landmarks of Dubai in (half) a day. Keep in mind that in most cases, your ‘visit’ will be just a quick photo stop, so it’s not comparable to actually visiting the sights. But it’s a good way to get an introduction to Dubai and catch a glimpse of the top spots.

PRO TIP: If you do a city highlights tour, do it at the beginning of your trip! That way, you can later come back to some of the places that you like the most. An ideal way to explore Dubai is to take an introductory city tour first as you arrive and then thoroughly visiting some of the main landmarks and attractions on your own later.

Abu Dhabi day trip tip: One of the best guided tours we recently did in Dubai was this highly-rated tour. If you want to see the top sights of Abu Dhabi in a day, this tour has by far the best itinerary (I compared many tours before we chose this one and it didn’t disappoint).

READ ALSO: Best Abu Dhabi Tours from Dubai (+Review of the Tour We Chose)

6. Save Time & Money with Combination Tickets

Dubai is expensive, there is no arguing about it. But with some smart planning, you can save some money on some of the main attractions.

One of the best ways to do this is by opting for combination tickets and/or city cards that include several popular places.

Here are some of the most popular deals:

• Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium (+-$20 savings per person).
• Atlantis Aquaventure + Lost Chambers Aquarium (+-$25-30 savings per person).
• GoCity Explorer Pass (up to 50% savings, depending on the attractions you visit).

Good to know: Some tickets cost more during the most popular times. For example, Burj Khalifa around sunset. So if you want to save money, be sure to check prices for different time slots/days when making reservations.

7. Stay Longer

You might be wondering how much time you need to see the best of Dubai. Well, there is really no straightforward answer to this and so much depends on your interests.

That being said, I recommend planning at least a week for a first visit to Dubai. But if you have time and your budget allows it, stay longer. You won’t get bored!

With a week in Dubai, you will be able to visit most of the top landmarks, explore several different parts of the city, and also find some time to relax and unwind. If you want to spend more time at the beach or by the pool, visit a water park or a theme park with your kids, or make a day trip to Abu Dhabi, ideally, you plan at least 10-12 days for Dubai.

But don’t worry if your trip is shorter and you can’t extend it. You can have a perfectly enjoyable visit and see a lot even if you only have a day or two in Dubai. Via the link below, you can find plenty of ideas for planning a shorter visit.

LEARN MORE: Dubai Stopover: How to See The Best of Dubai in 1-2 Days

8. Choose the Location of Your Hotel Wisely

Deciding where to stay in Dubai might not be as straightforward as you may think, especially if the main purpose of your visit is to explore the city.

There is not one perfect place to stay in Dubai – it’s simply much too big and too spread out for that.

However, some areas are better than others and some are really a disaster for commute. If you pick the wrong location, you might be stuck in traffic for hours every time you want to go anywhere and do some sightseeing. On the other hand, that same spot might be perfect for those who are mainly interested in swimming and dining, and are just looking for a relaxing vacation with maybe one or two excursions that include a pick-up and drop-off at the hotel…

TIP: I strongly recommend that you look at the map and the location of the places that you want to visit before deciding where to stay in Dubai. Also, consider how you will travel around.

For example, staying within walking distance of a metro station might save you a lot of time and money on commuting if you plan to do lots of sightseeing. Whereas staying in a nice walkable area with lots of shops and restaurants will be ideal if you like to go out at night.

Here are two of the very best areas to stay in Dubai:

• Dubai Downtown (the area around Dubai Mall – Burj Khalifa) is very central and is perfect for those who want to do a lot of sightseeing, but also for shopping and dining. Sofitel Dubai Downtown is a great choice in this area, close to Dubai Mall and just near a metro station. Remember, however, that this is the heart of the city, so very busy and far from the sea.
• Dubai Marina in the south of the city is another popular area to stay in Dubai. It’s a great choice for those who are looking for a more relaxing vacation, boat trips, water parks, dining, shopping, etc. The beach is not too far from here, however, it will take at least 45-60 minutes to reach the city center. Millennium Place is a very popular hotel not too far from the main Marina area and close to the metro. On a somewhat higher budget, JW Marriott Hotel Marina is a wonderful choice if you want to be in the heart of the Marina.

TIP: On our most recent visit to Dubai, we stayed at Rove La Mer Beach Hotel . It’s close to the downtown area, so quite convenient for sightseeing, but also with direct access to a private beach – the best of both worlds. We loved this hip modern hotel, also because it’s much smaller and more intimate – a kind of place where you don’t have to worry about losing your kids at breakfast. It also offers great price/quality for Dubai. The only downside is that the area around the hotel is still developing with lots of construction going on, but it will only get more attractive in the future.

9. Beware of Tourism Taxes

Hotel stays (including hotel apartments, guesthouses, holiday homes, etc.) in the United Arab Emirates are taxed with various fees, surcharges, and taxes. These amounts might vary depending on the hotel, but it’s not abnormal that these taxes add over 20-25% to your room rate.

For example, our recent hotel invoice in Dubai showed a 10% service charge, 7% municipality fees, 5 % VAT, and an additional 10 AED (+-$3) Tourism Dirham Fee per night.

Altogether, we paid about 24,4% on top of the official room rate. The good thing is that we knew in advance how much we had to pay. Otherwise, this could be a very unpleasant surprise…

So when looking for accommodation in Dubai and comparing prices, make sure that you are actually comparing the same thing!

Many hotel websites show prices without (some/any) taxes, so you may think that booking directly with them is cheaper. Often, it’s not the case at all!

TIP: We always use Booking.com for our accommodation bookings, also in Dubai. With them, you see the total price, including all fees and taxes, so you know exactly how much you will spend. (Depending on booking conditions, you may have to prepay for the stay in advance whereas the taxes are charged separately when you arrive at the hotel, but the total amount you see when making a reservation is correct).

10. Use Public Transport & Local Taxis

Dubai’s public transport system is efficient and inexpensive. Depending on where you are staying and traveling to, it might be very convenient to use the Dubai Metro, Tram, Monorail, or even local buses.

However, this depends on the exact trip you are planning to make and also on the size of your group. Sometimes, public transport is the best way to get around the city quickly and affordably. But there are also many situations when it’s a real hassle and doesn’t make your trip faster or much cheaper.

In those cases, you will be glad to know that taxis are rather affordable in Dubai . The most expensive taxi ride we recently took in Dubai was 25 kilometers, it took over 50 minutes, and it cost us 76 AED (+-$21).

However, be careful that you only use official taxis! Because e.g. Uber is often quite a lot more expensive. Not even to mention that they sometimes charge twice the price during peak times of increased demand. We learned this the hard way, after taking a few overpriced Uber rides…

Also, unlike in many other countries where we use Uber all the time, in Dubai, you never really know how much you will pay until the end of the ride. The price you see in the beginning is usually just an approximate indication.

TIP: Install Careem app on your smartphone and use it to request ‘Hala Taxi’. That’s the best way to get an official taxi in Dubai. If you request ‘Rides’, it works similar as Uber and is more expensive. We learned this from a local taxi driver after a few very unpleasant experiences with Uber and private drivers randomly offering their services at the main tourist spots, and it saved us a fortune.

To give you an idea, we were quoted 120 AED ($33) by Uber and 150 AED ($40) by random ‘kind strangers’ for a ride that in the end cost us 22 AED ($6) by official taxi. When it comes to busy times and popular tourist hotspots, getting a taxi ride in Dubai can feel like navigating the Wild West…

LEARN MORE: Tourist Guide to Dubai Public Transport

11. Start Your Days Early

One of the best ways to make the most out of your trip to Dubai is to start your days early.

There’s much less traffic in the morning, so you can get everywhere much quicker. But the main advantage is that there are hardly any other people, even at the most popular attractions. In addition – if you are visiting Dubai in the warmest months – getting up early is the best way to avoid the biggest heat.

Good to know: Be sure to check opening times of the places you want to visit. While some attractions don’t open until noon, many others are open from 9-10 AM. There are also places – like e.g. Burj Khalifa – that you can visit at 7 AM, and on some days even earlier if you like…

For example, we recently went to the Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis around opening time. There were no lines at the entrance and we could also do many popular slides without any wait. A few hours later, people were queuing for 45-60 minutes at the same rides…

In addition, the taxi ride to get there in the morning took us just 22 minutes. That same ride to get back to our hotel in the evening was over 50 minutes, not counting more than 10 minutes for a taxi to arrive… So yes, it really pays to explore Dubai in the morning!

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Visiting Atlantis Aquaventure

12. Stay Connected

While pretty much all public places and tourist attractions in Dubai offer free Wi-Fi, we highly recommend getting a local SIM card for your visit to UAE. There are so many situations when it’s just much easier to stay connected. For example, if you need to book a taxi ride, or book some tickets on the go, etc.

Depending on your data plan, roaming can cost a fortune in Dubai. My provider sent me an sms saying that using data in UAE will cost me 15 euros per megabyte (ouch! and no, thank you!). So the first thing I did after landing in Dubai was disconnect roaming.

There are several ways to approach this:

• Pocket Wi-Fi. One of the easiest ways to stay connected on the go is by renting a pocket WiFi at Dubai airport . This is a very convenient option if you don’t want to change anything on your phone. It’s also convenient if you are traveling with a family/friends since you can connect up to 10 devices to it.
• Local SIM card. Alternatively, you can opt opt for a physical SIM card, which is also available at the airport . With this option, you will need to place this card into your phone. If you want to keep your ‘own’ phone number working as well, see if your phone has a dual SIM option – then you can use both. Otherwise, you may want to bring an old phone to use with this local card.
• eSIM. There are many providers available (just search online), but what’s included and the prices vary a lot. Depending on which one you choose and also on your device, this can be a very easy and simple process, but it’s also not very straightforward if you have never done it before. Also, not all phones allow eSIM – so be sure to double-check if your smartphone has this capability.

13. Respect Local Culture

While Dubai is a very cosmopolitan city, it’s also a place with different cultural norms and traditions. Overall, UAE is very ‘Western’ and Dubai in particular is very laid back and relaxed. With over 200 nationalities living in Dubai, it’s a true melting pot of different cultures. Still, remember that you are a visitor here, and be respectful.

Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites or public places. Also, avoid public displays of affection, as these can be considered disrespectful.

If you’re visiting during Ramadan, be mindful of local customs and traditions. Keep in mind that many traditional restaurants and cafes will be closed during the day but will come to life after sunset. If you are visiting during Ramadan and are planning sightseeing during the day or a day trip to e.g. Abu Dhabi, it’s advisable to pack your own lunch.

One of the most common questions we get is what to wear when traveling to Dubai. Well, you will see people wearing all kinds of clothing – from burkas that cover the entire body to revealing summer clothes that hardly cover much at all. However, while a lot is tolerated, it’s not always appreciated.

So when in doubt, remember that it’s always safer to cover your knees and shoulders. See-through clothing is also not the best idea, unless on a beach.

TIP: Wear loose light clothes – not as much for religious or cultural reasons, but also because of the heat. Long skirts/dresses or wide summer pants will be much more comfortable than tight clothes.

LEARN MORE: What to Wear in Dubai

14. Use Credit Cards

The official currency in Dubai is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) and all the prices are displayed in this currency. All regular businesses accept cash and electronic means of payment, such as credit cards or smartphone payments.

We haven’t encountered a single place in Dubai that wouldn’t accept a credit card. So if you want to make it easy and simple for yourself, you don’t even need to exchange money and can simply use cards everywhere.

Important! Inform your bank about your visit so that they don’t block your cards for ‘suspicious activity’. And even then… Despite precautions, one of my cards got blocked by a credit card company after a random payment at a restaurant in one of the main malls in Dubai. We had to call the bank to get them to unblock it again and they say that this happens when ‘the systems’ suspect anything suspicious, despite us having notified our bank in advance…

If you want to leave a tip to someone or purchase something small, you may want to have some local currency at hand. In that case, you can get some cash from local ATMs which you will find in malls all over the city. I strongly encourage you to only use ATMs attached to local bank offices as some others might charge additional fees and/or give the worst exchange rates.

PRO TIP: When using ATMs to withdraw money or paying by card, you always get an option between local currency (AED) and your own currency. Always choose local currency (AED) – that way, your bank will do the exchange and you will always get a better rate than the one offered by ATMs or pay terminals.

Good to know: We heard it on quite a few occasions that money is king in Dubai and it doesn’t matter in which currency you want to pay – they will accept it. Indeed, this is the case at the markets (souks) and some smaller private businesses. On a recent trip to Dubai, I could use Euros at the souk. The sellers also told us that they accept credit cards (just make sure to haggle – see below).

15. Shop Smart

Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, but prices can vary a lot depending on where you shop. The prestigious locations like the Dubai Mall are home to some of the most expensive brands in the world and the prices here are usually very high. You will be able to find much better deals at the Dubai Outlet Mall, for example.

Also, if you go to various local markets (souks), be sure to shop around for better deals. Also, don’t forget to haggle – and not a little! Many sellers take advantage of tourists asking ridiculously high prices. Often, 3-4 times higher than what you should pay, and likely even more… Don’t be shy, offer the price that seems correct to you, and be prepared to walk away.

On a recent trip, I got intrigued by a perfume someone put on me while walking through the Dubai Spice Souk (this is common practice – people will (try to) put all kinds of stuff on you – from scarfs to perfumes etc.). So I asked how much it was. The prices depend on the size and the design of the bottle, they said, and so we settled on a medium-sized simple bottle and they told me it was 280 AED (+- 70 euros).

No way I would pay 70 euros for a tiny bottle of perfume at a market! And so we started the negotiations. In the end, I paid 20 euros in cash which – to me – felt like a correct price. The seller was telling me that this was way too low and he was only willing to do it because it was our last day in Dubai and my kids were cute… 😉

After that, I saw similar perfumes at Dubai Airport souvenir store and indeed, most of them were about 20-25 euros for about the same size I got. So don’t be afraid to negotiate and if you don’t feel comfortable with the price or the quality, simply walk away.

16. Explore Beyond the Glitz

While Dubai is best known for its skyscrapers and extravagant landmarks, don’t miss out on its cultural gems as well.

One of the best places to catch a glimpse of authentic culture is Old Dubai. Visit the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood, explore the spice and gold souks, and take a traditional abra ride along Dubai Creek. These experiences are also quite touristy, but they are also totally different from the main attractions in Dubai.

TIP: There are many excellent guided tours that visit Old Dubai . They all take you to the same area, do the traditional boat ride on Dubai Creek, and visit the same local markets. Most tours also include local coffee and dades, and some also food tasting. While you can just visit the area on your own, these tours are really affordable and give you a somewhat deeper insight and insider tips.

On our recent visit, we chose this walking/food tour . It started with some traditional food tasting at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the old town, a boat ride, and ended at the gold and spice souks. A nice way to spend a few hours and get to know a different side of the city.

READ ALSO: Best Tours in Dubai

17. Avoid Weekends

If you think Dubai is busy on a weekday, try to imagine it on a weekend or on public holidays.

So if you can adjust your plans, avoid visiting the most popular attractions on weekends (Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday).

If you are in Dubai for more than a few days, this is really not difficult to do. Visit the most popular places such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Global Village , Miracle Garden , or theme parks and water parks on weekdays.

On weekends, you can do more relaxing activities such as a sightseeing a yacht trip , a speedboat tour , spend time at the beach or by the pool, go parasailing or jetskiing , or take a desert tour – see below.

18. Experience the Desert

No trip to Dubai would be complete without experiencing its desert. Book a desert safari tour for an adrenaline-pumping ride over the dunes, followed by a traditional Bedouin-style dinner under the stars. It’s an unforgettable experience!

There are many desert tour options , but when you look closely, they are very similar in what they offer. Depending on the option you book, you have one main activity – usually, dune bashing in a jeep, quad, or camel ride. Afterward, you spend time in a desert camp where you can partake in all kinds of different experiences.

Some of these experiences include taking pictures with falcons and camels, sandboarding, various shows (traditional dance, belly dance, fire show), henna tattoos, etc. There is always lots of local food and it’s surprisingly good.

Our experience: We have done two desert tours in Dubai (on different trips) and they were both very similar and both excellent. The first time we went on this dune safari tour and on a recent trip, we opted for this highly-rated tour that includes a longer camel ride . In both cases, the second part of the tour was quite similar, the main difference was that the first tour included an exhilarating jeep ride through the dunes, and the second one – a 45-minute camel ride.

The whole family really enjoyed these tours and I couldn’t say which one is better. All I can tell you is that it’s a nice experience that will make your trip to Dubai even more memorable.

19. Don’t Forget Little Important Details

Here are some additional travel tips for Dubai:

• Bring a reusable water bottle. Dubai is so warm and dry that you will want to carry a bottle of water on you at all times. If you want to minimize plastic waste, you may want to bring your own reusable water bottle. Tap water is, in general, safe to drink. In addition, you will also see free water taps at some public areas, where you can refill your bottles.
• Pack a travel adapter. UAE uses  Type G  plugs, same as in the UK. However, we noticed that in most hotels you can also simply use European plugs and sometimes a simple USB cable. Still, we always pack a Type G adapter just to be safe.
• Bring a power bank to charge your phone on the go. Also, carry extra batteries for your camera.
• Know that you are not obliged to tip, but it’s also appreciated. Many people tip 10-15% at the restaurants or give a small tip to tour guides. If you like to tip, make sure you have some small bills of local currency.
• Bring a small crossbody bag for sightseeing. At some landmarks, you will be asked to leave bigger bags/backpacks in a locker. I like Hedgren crossbody bags for travel – they are light, sturdy, and very durable. The one I have is big enough to hold my camera, a power bank, documents, and even two water bottles, and I was never asked to use a locker. But pack the smallest backpack and you’ll often have to leave it behind…
• Don’t forget sun protection. A sun hat, sunscreen lotion, and sunglasses are a must when visiting Dubai!

So, these are some of the most useful travel tips for Dubai that you may want to know when traveling to this fascinating city for the first time. I hope that this helps you make the most of your visit.

Have a great trip!

Before you go, you may want to learn a bit more about Dubai with some surprising and interesting facts that will leave you fascinated and eager to explore more. Check it out: Fun & Interesting Facts About Dubai .

More tips for visiting Dubai:

• Budget:  How Expensive is Dubai
• Getting around:  Public Transport in Dubai
• With kids:  Best Things to Do in Dubai with Kids
• Fun to do:  Best Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dubai

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Friday 23rd of February 2024

Thanks for the article. It is very informative.

Glad to help. Have a great time in Dubai!

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Your Trip to Dubai: The Complete Guide

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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 Itinerary – How to Spend From 3 to 7 EPIC Days in Dubai!

Posted on Last updated: July 1, 2023

Looking for the ultimate Dubai itinerary? You just found it!

Dubai is the city of skyscrapers, of huge malls, of pristine white sand beaches, of busy souks and magical sunsets in the desert.

It’s a city that offers a huge variety of things to do, so it’s only normal that planning a Dubai itinerary can be challenging.

Lucky for you, I’ve been to Dubai so many times I’ve lost track (I think I’m on trip number 6) and have plenty of experience discovering this unique Emirati city.

I have put all my travel knowledge into this ultimate Dubai itinerary.

Enjoying the view over Burj Khalifa and Dubai from Sky Views Observatory

In this Dubai itinerary I have outlined everything you need to know to plan your perfect Dubai trip.

Starting with exactly how many days you need in Dubai, a day-by-day outline of all the best things to do in Dubai, where to stay, where to eat, how to get around the city, what to pack and much more.

I always build my itineraries in the most travel effective way, so that you don’t have to waste time constantly travelling from one of the city to the other. I do all the research and planning so you don’t have to!

This thorough and complete itinerary for Dubai will help you plan the perfect trip to this unique Emirati city. So without further ado, let’s dive in and start planning your ideal Dubai itinerary!

• 1.1 How many days in Dubai?
• 1.2 How to get around Dubai
• 1.3 Best time to visit Dubai
• 1.4 Where to stay in Dubai
• 1.5 Best tours in Dubai
• 1.6 Do you need travel insurance for Dubai?
• 1.7 What to pack for Dubai
• 2.1.1 Morning – Discover Dubai Marina
• 2.1.2 Afternoon – Relax at JBR & Marina Beach
• 2.1.3 Dinner – Dhow Dinner Cruise in Dubai Marina
• 2.2.1 Morning – Discover old Dubai
• 2.2.2 Afternoon – Sky Views Observatory & Dubai Mall
• 2.2.3 Sunset & Evening – Burj Khalifa
• 2.3.1 Morning – Mall of the Emirates
• 2.3.2 Afternoon – Barasti Beach
• 2.3.3 Sunset – The view at The Palm at sunset
• 2.3.4 Evening – Dinner at The Pointe
• 3.1 Desert safari
• 4.1 Morning – Extend your desert safari
• 4.2 Afternoon – Chill at the Beach & see the Burj Al Arab
• 5.1.1 Emirates Heritage Club
• 5.1.2 Qasr al Watan
• 5.1.3 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• 5.1.4 Sunset from What AlKarama
• 6 Dubai itinerary 7 days

The sunset from The View at The Palm in Dubai

The iconic Dubai skyline at golden hour

Key things to know to plan the best Dubai itinerary

Before diving into the day-by-day breakdown of this Dubai itinerary, I want to go over some crucial logistics information for your trip. This is the information you need to ensure your Dubai trip runs smoothly.

How many days in Dubai?

First questions first, how many days do you actually need in Dubai?

Being a city, many travellers think Dubai doesn’t need that long to be discovered, but they couldn’t be more wrong! The city is huge, and transfers between places can take their time.

Personally, I think the bare minimum amount of time you should spend in Dubai is three days. Some travellers try to see as much as possible during long layovers in Dubai , but that’s nowhere near enough time.

This will allow you to see all the main sights, have time to relax on the beach and properly get a feel for the unique vibe of this city.

The iconic pink Atlantis The Palm as seen from The Pointe, Dubai

If you want to go beyond the main tourist attractions of Dubai, and live unique experiences like spending a night in the desert or seeing the Presidential Palace of Abu Dhabi, then you will need longer in Dubai.

In this article I have outlined my core Dubai 3-day itinerary, and then built on top of that to form itineraries for four days, five days, six days and even seven days in Dubai.

Depending on how long you have, and your personal interests, you can expand your trip to the full Dubai 7-day itinerary, or maybe just pick and choose specific days to form a Dubai 5-day itinerary.

Although three days is enough, if you have the time for a Dubai 7-day itinerary, that is what I would personally go for, as it will allow you to really see everything this unique city, and its surroundings, have to offer.

The entrance of Palace Hotel and Burj Khalifa in Dubai

How to get around Dubai

Dubai is a huge city, and making your way around it can be complicated, but don’t let that deter you. Between public transport and taxis, you can easily make your way around Dubai.

Dubai has an efficient metro system, the Dubai Metro. It runs mostly parallel to the sea and Sheikh Zayed Road. It’s a rapid transit rail network that does 53 stops and covers most of the main areas of Dubai.

Fares for the Dubai Metro depend on how far you’re travelling. You can purchase tickets at every metro station, get daily passes or get a Nol card to top up.  

It’s perfect for getting to the main spots (for example the malls have entrances directly connected to the Metro system, so you don’t have to walk outside in the heat), but if you’re trying to go smaller side streets, walking from the Metro station can be annoying.

For short distances, or for journeys to places that aren’t on the Metro line, I recommend either an Uber or taxi. I was surprised to find that taxis in Dubai are comparatively cheap (a 20km journey is around 50 AED).

Discovering Al Seef, the historical area of Dubai

Best time to visit Dubai

Dubai is a very popular winter sun destination.  

Being located in the middle of the desert, Dubai has a hot and dry climate all year round. In winter that means temperatures around 20-25°C, but in summer it can go up to over 40°C.  

Generally speaking, the best time of the year to visit Dubai is from early November to end of March. Perfect if you’re looking to escape from winter in Europe !

View over the Dubai Marina & JBR skyline from The View at The Palm

Where to stay in Dubai

There are loads of cool places to stay in Dubai , and the perfect place for you ultimately depends on your travel style and budget. I have listed below some cool options for every budget.

Budget: Rove Dubai Marina   – This is a perfect option for budget travellers. It’s just a short stroll from Jumeirah Beach, as well as shopping and dining options. The hotel also has a chic outdoor pool and restaurant.

Click here to book your stay at Rove Dubai Marina!

Mid-range:  25hours Hotel One Central – I spent one night here and loved it. This hotel has an epic rooftop pool with a view of the Museum of the Future, and the interior design is truly unique. It’s one of the most Instagrammable spots in Dubai for a reason!

Click here to book your stay at 25hours Hotel One Central!

Luxury: Address Downtown Dubai – Among other things, this luxury hotel features an incredible infinity pool with an equally incredible view of Burj Khalifa: the world’s tallest building. The location in Downtown Dubai is prime for exploring top sights, and the spacious rooms offer a luxurious experience.

Click here to book your stay at Address Downtown Dubai!

Enjoying the pool with view over the Museum of the Future at 25hours Hotel One Central in Dubai

Best tours in Dubai

If you follow the advice in this Dubai itinerary, you’ll easily be able to discover Dubai independently without having to join a tour.

Having said that, there are definitely some experiences worth splurging for, or entrance tickets to certain attractions that you have to book online beforehand. I have listed the most popular below.

Helicopter Flight from The Palm to Burj Khalifa – The tour name is pretty self explanatory, if you want a truly adrenaline inducing and unique experience, this is it! See the iconic Dubai skyline from the sky!

Dubai Old Town, Souks & Street Food Guided Tour  – Discover the historical parts of Dubai with a knowledgeable local guide, from the souks to the street food, you won’t be disappointed.

Enjoying the Dubai skyline lit up for the night from Burj Khalifa

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour – The most complete Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip, it includes all of the major sights, transfers and lunch.

Burj Khalifa Ticket & Tour: Level 124, 125 & 148 – See the amazing view from Burj Khalifa, without having to waste hours queueing! 

From Dubai: Red Dunes and Camel Safari with Overnight Camp – Want to do something truly unique and spend a night in the desert? This is your opportunity to do so!

Atlantis Aquaventure & Los Chambers Aquarium Ticket – A popular one with families, this is the entrance ticket to one of the most famous water parks and aquariums in Dubai!

The iconic red dunes of Dubai desert

The exterior of Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi

Do you need travel insurance for Dubai?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo .

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

As a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance !

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

Exploring the Spice Souk of Dubai

What to pack for Dubai

When planning what to pack for Dubai you’ll soon realise it’s not as simple as the usual travel essentials . Being a Muslim country, you will have to dress more conservatively in certain occasions.

However, Dubai is famous for its malls, so if you do realise you’re missing something, you can just buy it once there! That said, here are the things I would make sure to pack.

Head scarf for women – If you plan on visiting the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi (which you really should be) then you have to remember to bring a scarf to cover your hair. You won’t be allowed in without one.

Modest clothing that fully covers you – This goes for both men and women.

Dress codes in Dubai vary depending on the situations, but it’s good to have some  long loose trousers and breathable long sleeved shirts , so as to comply with the dress code but also not overheat in the hot Emirati weather! 

The Wings of Mexico statue in Downtown Dubai

Camera – Given how beautiful Dubai is, you want to make sure you capture it in all its beauty!

Reusable water bottle – Especially if you plan to do a lot of walking, bring a bottle you can refill and ensure you stay hydrated. It will save you money and you’ll also waste less plastic, it’s a win-win!

Power bank – Whether it’s while snapping some pictures, while google mapping your way around the city or ordering an uber, you don’t want your phone to run out of battery during a crucial moment!

International adapter   – In Dubai you’ll find type G sockets and plugs (like the UK ones). Depending on where you’re from, you might need an adapter to charge your electronics.

The famous Palm of Dubai at sunset

Dubai itinerary 3 days

Let’s start with my core Dubai 3-day itinerary! If you can’t stay long in Dubai, make sure to stay at least three days, and hit all the highlights I’ve outlined below.

Dubai itinerary day 1 – Dubai Marina

Morning – discover dubai marina.

I couldn’t start a Dubai itinerary in any other location. Dubai Marina is one of the most iconic areas of Dubai.

With its white sand beach, tall skyscrapers, fun beach clubs, and countless dining and drinking opportunities, it’s what everyone imagines when they think of Dubai.

I recommend wandering around Dubai Marina in the morning, before it gets too hot.

You can walk along the man-made marina, enjoying the views of traditional dhow boats and modern yachts cruising past, with the iconic Dubai skyscrapers as backdrop.

Walking along Dubai Marina

There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops where you can stop for a quick breakfast, and maybe a bit of shopping throughout the morning.

From the food court of Dubai Marina Mall you will get an incredible view over Dubai Marina, and the best part, it’s completely free!

As the morning turns into afternoon and the day grows hotter, you can head to the beach to cool down! If you want to try some truly unique experiences, I have listed some popular tours below.

Dubai Marina Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ – This is perfect for a group of friends or a special occasion, as you’ll get to cruise past the iconic Dubai Marina skyline on a luxury yacht!

Iconic views of Dubai Marina

Afternoon – Relax at JBR & Marina Beach

Just beyond the skyscrapers of Dubai Marina, you will find JBR Beach and Marina Beach waiting for you.

Being the first day in Dubai, I imagine you will also want to relax after your flight, and what better place to do so?

Here you will find both private beach clubs, as well as public stretches of beach. If you plan to stay here a while, I definitely recommend investing in a sun bed and umbrella, as the beaches in Dubai can get very hot!

There are also plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes on the seaside walk behind the beach, so you don’t need to worry about going hungry or thirsty while you’re at the beach.

A traditional wooden dhow boat in Dubai Marina

JBR & Dubai Marina as seen from The View at The Palm

If you’re travelling with children, you’ll find plenty of fun activities at JBR and Marina Beach also for them. 

From inflatable slides to banana boat tours, or from camel rides to jet skis , these beaches offer plenty of activities.

You could just lie there and tan all afternoon, but if you’re afraid of getting bored, no need to worry as there’s plenty to do!

You could also cross the bridge to Bluewaters, a man-made island with loads of bars, restaurants and shops, as well as the new wheel and viewpoint of Dubai; Ain Dubai.

I love Bluewaters also because it offers a great view of the Dubai Marina skyline.

Enjoying the view over Dubai Marina & JBR at sunset from Bluewaters

Dinner – Dhow Dinner Cruise in Dubai Marina

After a quick stop at your hotel to wash off the salt and sand, it’s time to get all dressed up and head back to Dubai Marina, for a traditional dhow cruise and dinner.

I went on a dhow cruise and dinner in Dubai Marina on my last trip to Dubai, and I don’t know why I waited six trips to finally do so!

Dhows are the traditional wooden boats of the UAE. Today, they are mostly used for tourist cruises, especially for dinner or afternoon tea.

Doing a dhow dinner cruise in Dubai Marina is obviously a very touristy activity, but like I always say, touristy things are popular for a reason.

Wooden dhow boats cruising in Dubai Marina

The top deck of our Dubai dhow cruise, where you will enjoy your dinner

You can’t travel to Rome and skip the Colosseum just because it’s “touristy”. It’s a must on every travel bucket list , and rightly so.

The same goes for dhow dinner cruises in Dubai . Seeing the skyline of Dubai lit up for the night, while cruising along the sea and eating delicious local food, is an experience like no other.

Most dhow cruises will include also pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, so you don’t have to worry about transfers.

Click here to book your dhow dinner cruise in Dubai!

Or check out prices & availability below!

Enjoying the view over Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai from the top deck of our dhow cruise

Dubai itinerary day 2 – Old Dubai Meets Modern

Morning – discover old dubai.

After the skyscrapers of Dubai Marina, get ready to discover an older and more traditional side of Dubai. This morning we will head to Deira and Al Fahidi, the older areas of Dubai, which are also home to the souks.

In Deira you will find the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, two of the most iconic souks of Dubai. The sprawling souks are characterised by countless winding alleys, lined with all sorts of shops.

As the names suggest, you can expect to find jewellery and spices, but there are also many shops in the souks selling souvenirs, clothing, fine silks and more.

It’s the perfect place to go for a wander, and discover a less known side of Dubai.

Exploring the souqs of Dubai, close to Deira

Some of the gold shops in the gold souk in Dubai

Just across the creek (which you can cross in a traditional abra wooden boat for around 1 AED) you will find Bur Dubai.

This is another area with souks and shops, where you can find everything from clothing to souvenirs. As you walk through the souks you will emerge next to Al Fahidi, the historical district of Dubai.

There are less shops present here, but you can spend a bit of time wandering around the traditional streets, and getting a feel for what old Dubai was like.

Crossing the Creek of Dubai in a traditional Abra wooden boat

Discovering the streets of Al Fahidi historical district in Dubai

In Al Fahidi we had lunch at Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe. It’s a lovely traditional restaurant, with a beautiful interior decor and delicious dishes like fattoush, falafel or meat wraps, and main dishes like Biryani.

Before leaving the magical atmosphere of old Dubai, you can pop by Al Seef, another historical area of Dubai. It’s very similar to Al Fahidi, so if you’re short on time, you don’t necessarily have to visit both.

Dubai is a super safe city, but if you don’t feel like wandering around the souks alone, then you can join a guided tour like this one .

Discover the souks, old town, creek and even some delicious local street food with this guided tour!

Click here to book your Dubai Old Town, Souks & Street Food tour, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

The gorgeous exterior of Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi historical district in Dubai

Afternoon – Sky Views Observatory & Dubai Mall

After your morning exploring old Dubai, it’s time to head to some of the most modern and unique sights in Dubai. Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall!

Located in Address Sky View (accessible from the Dubai Mall metro station), you will find Sky Views Observatory, the latest viewpoint in Dubai .

Entrance costs around 20 EUR per person, I recommend purchasing it online beforehand so you don’t have to queue once there.

From Sky Views you get an epic view of Burj Khalifa, as well as the surrounding cityscapes of Dubai. But what makes this viewpoint special, is the glass slide, the glass walkway and the Sky Edge Walk.

This isn’t just a place where you go and look at a view, you can truly engage with it in unique and adrenaline pumping ways. It’s not every day that you get to hang off the side of a 53-floor building!

Click here to purchase your Sky Views Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket, or check out prices & availability below!

Sliding down the glass slide of Sky Views Observatory in Dubai

Once you’ve had your epic views and adrenaline fix, you can go for a wander inside Dubai Mall.  

Dubai Mall is the second largest mall in the world, home to over 1,200 retail stores. Whatever it is you’re searching for, I’m pretty sure you’ll find it here. It’s even home to Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo!

Just outside Dubai Mall you’ll find the Burj Khalifa water fountains. You actually get the best view of the fountains from the Apple Store inside Dubai Mall!

The fountains are on every 30 minutes from 6PM to 11PM, every day of the week, although it can vary depending on the time of the year or if there are public holidays on.

I was last in Dubai during Ramadan, and then fountain show started later than usual.

Time your sightseeing, viewpoint admiring and shopping so as to arrive at the fountains in time for one of the shows!

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, inside Dubai Mall

The ice skating rink inside Dubai Mall

Sunset & Evening – Burj Khalifa

After enjoying the Burj Khalifa fountain show, head over to Burj Khalifa (the entrance is inside Dubai Mall).

With its 828 metres, Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, wanting to admire the view from its top is only natural!

Seeing the view from the top of Burj Khalifa is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai, and as such, it can get incredibly busy.

I’ve been twice before on separate Dubai trips, and have a few pointers to ensure you have the best visit possible.

Enjoying the view over Dubai at night from the Burj Khalifa

If you can, I 100% recommend splurging on one of the premium experiences like the skip-the-line ticket, visiting floor 148 or the ticket with lunch or dinner at the Burj Club .

The normal ticket with entrance to floors 124 and 125 is what everyone does, and the queue gets gigantic.

On my last trip, we had to queue for over an hour just to get to the lift! We spent a few hours enjoying the view and taking photos, and then had to queue a good 30 minutes to get back down.

The premium skip-the-line tickets will avoid you this hassle. The best time to go to the top of Burj Khalifa is at sunset, as you can see the whole change in the colours of the sky and Dubai skyline.

The view over Dubai at night from Burj Khalifa

Standing at 452m (the height of floor 124), watching the sky turn pink and then dark, and the skyscrapers of Dubai light up below you is a unique experience.

Even if you purchase a skip-the-line entrance, it can take a while to get to the viewing platform, so make sure to time your visit accordingly and don’t miss the sunset!

Dubai Burj Khalifa Level 124 & 125 Entry Ticket – This is the basic entrance ticket to Burj Khalifa. With this you can go up to the viewing platform, and enjoy the stunning views.

Burj Khalifa Ticket & Tour: Level 124, 125 & 148 – Here you’ll find the skip-the-line entrance, as well as access to the higher viewing deck at level 148, and a guided tour experience to top it all off!

Burj Khalifa 124 & Lunch or Dinner at The Burj Club – The premium experience, which goes beyond the viewing deck and includes a delicious meal!

Enjoying the view over Dubai at night from the top of Burj Khalifa

After spending some time enjoying the view, if you don’t go for the Burj Khalifa entrance with dinner, you can head back down and eat at Dubai Mall.

We ate at Al Hallab, a tasty Lebanese restaurant with outdoor seating and a view of the Burj Khalifa fountains.

The Burj Khalifa and Fountain Show as seen from the Al Hallab outdoor terrace

Day 3 – Barasti Beach & The Palm

Morning – mall of the emirates.

When it comes to malls, there are countless malls in Dubai that you could visit. Having visited Dubai Mall already, I think the next one that can’t miss on any Dubai itinerary is Mall of the Emirates.

Mall of the Emirates is famous for being home to Ski Dubai; an indoor ski resort. You read that right, you could be baking under the hot desert sun one day, and then skiing at -1°C the next on the same trip!

Besides skiing, you can spend some time shopping, chilling and eating at one of the many food court restaurants.  

Ski Dubai; the indoor ski resort inside Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Afternoon – Barasti Beach

Once you’ve made the most of your shopping spree, it’s time to head to Barasti Beach! Located between Dubai Marina and The Palm, Barasti Beach is one of the most iconic beach bars in Dubai.

My personal favourite thing about it is that entry and use of the sun beds and umbrellas is free (unlike most beach bars in Dubai which charge 30+ EUR for the day).

They will check your bag on arrival as you’re not allowed to bring any food or drinks inside.

Chilling at Barasti Beach in Dubai

You don’t have to pay for sun beds, but if you plan on spending a whole afternoon or day there, they count on you probably spending something on food and drinks.

These can be a bit pricey, but when compared to average prices in Dubai, are actually pretty reasonable.

Barasti Beach has a really cool vibe, with hammocks hanging just over the water, a pool, a stage for live music and a wide array of food and drink choices.

Plus, it’s lined by the iconic view of Dubai Marina skyscrapers behind it.

Enjoying a drink at Barasti Beach Club in Dubai

Sunset – The view at The Palm at sunset

Once you’ve had your fill of sea and sunshine, head over to Palm Jumeirah for one of the best sunset views you’ll have ever seen.

That might seem hard to top after Burj Khalifa yesterday, but in my opinion, The View at The Palm is more fascinating. 

Palm Jumeirah is a palm-shaped artificial group of islands built just off the coast of Dubai.

It’s one of the most incredible engineering feats you will ever see, and it’s unique in its kind. You hear a lot of talk about The Palm, but rarely have a chance to see it properly.

The View at The Palm is located on the 52nd floor above The Palm, and offers 360 views over, you’ve guessed it, The Palm, as well as the Dubai Marina skyline, Burj Al Arab and even Burj Khalifa in the distance.

Entrance ranges from 100-160 AED depending on if its prime hours or not. I recommend visiting at sunset, even though the price tag is higher as its at prime hours, it will honestly be worth the extra money.

Watching the sun sink towards the ocean, pain the sky orange and turn golden as The Palm and Dubai skyline light up, was honestly one of the highlights of all my Dubai trips.

It doesn’t get as busy as Burj Khalifa, so you don’t need to arrive too much earlier than your ticket entrance.

Click here to purchase your entry ticket to The View at The Palm!

Enjoying the sunset from The View at The Palm in Dubai

Evening – Dinner at The Pointe

Since you’re already at The Palm, once the sun goes down you can just head over to The Pointe, a new iconic waterfront destination with views of the famous Atlantis Hotel, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.

Here you can walk the Palm Jumeirah Fountain Show, while eating at one of the many waterfront restaurants. It’s a slightly off the beaten track, with less tourists compared to other malls or beach areas in Dubai.

The Palm Fountain show as seen from The Pointe, with the famous Atlantis behind it

Dubai itinerary 4 days

As I already mentioned, three days is the bare minimum amount of time you need to spend in Dubai to enjoy it and see the sights.

Now that you’ve seen the main sights, you can go beyond, and spend your fourth day in Dubai doing something unique.

Desert safari

With all the beaches, malls, glitz and glam of Dubai, you might have forgotten that you’re actually in the middle of the desert.

I didn’t actually make it out to the desert until my third or fourth trip to Dubai, and I wish I’d made it sooner.

Enjoying a camel ride in Dubai desert

One of our cars got stuck in the Dubai desert while dune bashing

On a desert safari you can go beyond the souks and historical neighbourhoods of Dubai, and get a feel for what bedouin desert life was truly like.  

There are loads of desert safaris in Dubai , mostly offering similar things, but also with unique twists or special selling points.

Pretty much all safaris will include pick-up, drop-off, dune bashing , sand boarding , and a meal in the desert.

Depending on whether you join a morning or afternoon tour, the meal will usually be a breakfast, lunch or dinner. I recommend joining an afternoon tour, since sunsets in the desert are absolutely magical!

Beautiful sunset views in Dubai desert

Spending a day away from the skyscrapers and beach clubs of Dubai is, in my opinion, a must on any Dubai itinerary. It gives you the opportunity to experience something truly unique, which you can’t do just anywhere.

Between the adrenaline pumping dune bashing, the endless golden dunes, the magical golden sunset and the distinctive local culture, you’re guaranteed to spend a truly thrilling day.

Dubai Red Dunes Safari, Camel Ride, BBQ & Al Marmoom Oasis – The most popular and complete desert safari out there, it includes all the fun desert activities, transfers and a BBQ dinner feast.

The pool at Bedouin Oasis Camp – the camp for our Dubai desert safari

The evening show during our desert safari

Dubai itinerary 5 days

Morning – extend your desert safari.

If you have five days in Dubai, I highly recommend extending your desert safari and spending one night in the desert. If visiting the desert by day is magical, seeing it under the stars is even more so.

Sleeping in a bedouin tent (or fancy desert resort, that’s up to you) is a once in a lifetime experience.

The overnight desert safaris will include both breakfast and dinner, and you can expect a traditional performance during dinner.

After your magical night in the desert, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and energised. You can spend some time in the morning relaxing at your bedouin camp, and then get ready to head back to the city.

Going on a camel ride in the desert in Dubai

Afternoon – Chill at the Beach & see the Burj Al Arab

Once you return to the city from your desert adventure, you can head back to the sea, and discover some new Dubai beaches you haven’t yet visited.

For example Kite Beach; a long stretch of fine white sand and turquoise water.

This beach can get quite windy, which makes it perfect for kitesurfing and other water sports, hence the name. It’s a fun beach to spend an afternoon, go for a dip, and maybe even try some kitesurfing!

Nearby you’ll also see the famous Burj Al Arab, the iconic sail-shaped luxury hotel in Dubai.

Burj Al Arab and the iconic Dubai skyline as seen from The View at The Palm

You can pop over to Public Beach (it doesn’t seem to have a name, that’s how it comes up on Google Maps) if you want to get a closer look.

Just bear in mind that, as of April 2024, there was a construction site by the beach, which blocked the view of Burj Al Arab.

I don’t know at what stage the construction is now, or if it will be blocking the Burj Al Arab view permanently once completed.

If you want to continue your local Emirati experience, you can head over to Bu Qtair Restaurant for dinner (located half way between Kite Beach & the Burj Al Arab).

It’s a very local and traditional fish restaurant, it’s not fancy, but the fish is delicious!

The iconic sail shape of Burj al Arab in Dubai

Dubai itinerary 6 days

If you can spend at least six days in Dubai, then for your final day I recommend actually getting out of Dubai, and exploring the Emirati capital; Abu Dhabi.

Many travellers don’t know whether to choose Dubai or Abu Dhabi for their trips, but if you can spend at least six days in Dubai, you won’t have to! Just follow this Dubai itinerary and you’ll be able to see both.

Day trip to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is only a 1-hour drive away from Dubai, meaning you can easily do a day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai .

One day isn’t a lot, but it’s enough to see all the main sights of Abu Dhabi, and get a feel for this unique city.

Many travellers often wonder if they should visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and while the answer ultimately depends on your travel style and mood, I definitely think Dubai has more going for it, and you can just visit Abu Dhabi for a day or two.

Exploring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

You can easily visit Abu Dhabi independently, just rent a car or hop on a bus and head over!

Alternatively, if you don’t feel like driving in the UAE or figuring out public transport, there are many organised day tours you can join. I have listed the best ones below.

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour – The most complete Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip, it includes all of the major sights, transfer and lunch.

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Guided Tour – A shorter tour for those who only want to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Full-Day Trip with Grand Mosque & Louvre – For the arts and culture lovers, this tour focuses on the Grand Mosque and Louvre Museum.

The “Power of Words” piece inside Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi

If you do choose to visit Abu Dhabi independently, I have outlined below the must-see sights that you can’t miss.

Emirates Heritage Club

Emirates Heritage Club is a reconstruction of a traditional desert village. It’s a cool place to wander around, but after the souks and historical areas of Dubai and the desert experience, it probably won’t wow you.

What is wow about Emirates Heritage Club is the view of the Abu Dhabi skyline. You’ll be right across from Corniche Beach, and will be able to enjoy the views of this unique skyline.

Enjoying the view over the Abu Dhabi Skyline

Qasr al Watan

The Presidential Palace was completed in 2017, but only opened to the public in 2019.

Entrance is 60 AED, and trust me when I saw, it’s well worth the price tag. Qasr al Watan is one of the most stunning buildings I’ve ever seen.

The white granite facade only hints at the sumptuous interior, where you will find absolutely breath taking rooms and decorations. Walking through its halls, you understand what real grandeur is.

The grand interior of Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Completed in 2007, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (often referred to as just Grand Mosque) is one of the largest mosques in the world, and home to the largest hand-woven carpet in the world.

It’s an elaborate display of Islamic architecture and design. With its domes, columns, details and spires, this imposing white building will leave you breathless.

Entrance if free, just make sure to register online for a specific time slot, and make sure to dress appropriately or you won’t be allowed in.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Sunset from What AlKarama

What AlKarama is a war memorial just across the road from the Grand Mosque.

In and of itself it might not be a Abu Dhabi highlight, but what makes it special is the shallow pool in front of it, where you can see a perfect reflection of the Grand Mosque.

It’s especially stunning at sunset, when the mosque starts to light, the sky turns pink and the reflection is perfectly defined.

Enjoying the view over Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunset

In my opinion, these are the four places you absolutely have to visit in Abu Dhabi.

There are many other famous and popular sights, such as Ferrari World , The Louvre , Saadiyat Island and Emirates Palace, but seeing all of them in one day would be a bit of a stretch.

After all, this is a Dubai itinerary, not an Abu Dhabi one. If you can extend your Dubai trip and spend a night in Abu Dhabi that would be a great opportunity to see more of this unique city.

It also allows you to see the Abu Dhabi skyline lit for the night, which is quite the sight.

If you just want to get a feel for the Abu Dhabi vibe, a day trip is more than enough, and you can head back to Dubai for the last day of your Dubai itinerary.

The unique skyline of Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi lit up for the night

Dubai itinerary 7 days

If you’re lucky enough to spend seven days in Dubai, here is the final day of your Dubai 1-week itinerary! To be entirely honest, I don’t have specific recommendations for this final day in Dubai.

If you follow all my suggestions for the previous six days, by this point you’ll have seen all the key highlights of Dubai and its surroundings.

And let’s be real, you’ll probably also be a bit tired from all the sightseeing and travelling around.

The “fronds” of the Palm at sunset, as seen from The View at The Palm

The reason I suggest spending at least one week in Dubai, is because it gives you time to absorb everything you’re seeing, without rushing too much.

You could see everything in less (as I said already, three days in Dubai are the bare minimum to see it all) but you’ll be knackered by the end of it.

On this final day in Dubai you can head back to spots you particularly liked, maybe go back to Barasti Beach Club for some beach chilling, or head over to Dubai Mall for some final shopping.

There are also plenty of other attractions in Dubai that I haven’t mentioned yet.

Like the famous water parks at Atlantis or Burj Al Arab, the pool club at The View at the Palm, seeing the sunset from Dubai Creek, the Museum of the Future , or exploring the new Blueswater water front.

I haven’t included them in my core Dubai travel itinerary because, even though they’re all great, I don’t think they’re a core part of a Dubai trip.

Depending on your personal interests, you can choose to visit one or more of them on this final day.

The Museum of the Future in Dubai

Final thoughts on the best Dubai holiday itinerary

There you have it, the ultimate Dubai itinerary! Have you been to Dubai before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

I know Dubai isn’t for everyone, but there’s no denying it’s a unique place and there’s nowhere else quite like it. I truly believe everyone should visit Dubai at least once in their life, and experience what all the buzz is about.

With its huge malls, tall skyscrapers, glam lifestyle, fascinating desert and stunning sunsets, I know you’ll love these Dubai itineraries.

As I already mentioned, you need seven days in Dubai to see everything, but if that’s too long for you, then three days in Dubai is the bare minimum.

In this article I outlined day-by-day everything you should do and see in Dubai, building a Dubai itinerary for three days, four days, five days, six days and even seven days.

Regardless of how long you have, one of these itineraries will fit your trip.

I tried to include everything you need to know about planning your perfect Dubai itinerary, including the best activities, how to get around, where to stay, what to pack and more. I hope you will find it useful in planning your own Dubai trip!

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The Ultimate 5 & 7 Day Itinerary For Dubai

Dubai is one of the most trending tourist destinations in the world. With its diverse culture, iconic buildings, and exciting activities, this international hub is quickly becoming one of the top choices for travelers, and for a good reason.

From the tallest building in the world, the largest waterpark in the world, and even the deepest pool in the world, along with beautiful beaches, museums, and theme parks, Dubai has something to please everyone.

With so many things to do around the city, planning your Dubai holiday itinerary can get overwhelming. The last thing you want is to miss out on an amazing place and regret it later!

To help you with your Dubai trip planning, we have created a comprehensive 5 & 7-day best Dubai itinerary that will guide you through must-see destinations in the city. With this plan, you won’t miss out on any of the iconic spots that Dubai is known for.

Planning a trip to Dubai soon? Check out what’s happening in the city when you visit and book your tickets to popular events and attractions on Platinumlist.

Things To Know Before Traveling To Dubai

What is the best time to visit Dubai?

As the city can get very hot during peak summer months, the best time to visit Dubai is during the winter months, between October to April. Popular destinations like Global Village and Miracle Garden are also open only during these months.

How can I commute around Dubai?

Dubai has a very well-connected and reliable public transport system with multiple metro lines, bus routes, and taxis that can help you travel from one destination to the next. You can utilize the metro and bus with the NOL card, which is easily available across the city and can be recharged.

Can I rent a car in Dubai?

You can rent a car and travel across the city easily if you hold an international license.

Is Dubai a safe city?

Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world. The crime rate is extremely low, and the police are always on high alert and protect residents and tourists alike at all times. You can easily travel during the late hours of the night without any danger.

Does Dubai have a dress code?

While there is no set dress code in the city, tourists are recommended to wear modest clothing that covers their arms and knees, as some malls and other locations do not allow entry otherwise. Beachwear and swimsuits are allowed on beaches and resorts but not in other public spaces.

How can I book tickets for events and attractions in Dubai?

As Dubai is a popular tourist destination, we recommend booking all your tickets in advance to avoid any disappointment. You can find and book tickets for your chosen events and attractions easily on Platinumlist. 

5-Day Itinerary For Dubai – What To See In Dubai in 5 Days

Pro tip: If you can, book a flight that arrives in the evening or at night so that you can start exploring the city from early morning the next day. And if you want to make the most out of your trip, make sure you wake up and start sightseeing as early as possible!

You can choose to use a Dubai tour package for your trip or plan a trip on your own with this comprehensive list.

Day 1 – Dubai Mall + Burj Khalifa

The first day of your trip should be about Dubai’s most iconic destinations, The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa is located next to The Dubai Mall, so it makes perfect sense to pair your visit to the landmark building with a day at the mall. During this visit, you can catch the most spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa from The Dubai Mall, visit the At The Top observatory on top of the Burj Khalifa, and explore the world’s largest mall. Here’s what you can do during your day at The Dubai Mall.

Visit At The Top, Burj Khalifa

A visit to At The Top, Burj Khalifa’s in-house observatory, is a must for every tourist. The tallest observatory in the world, located on Level 124 and 125 of Burj Khalifa, At The Top, provides panoramic views of the city through its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. As it’s a popular tourist destination, we recommend booking your tickets in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on this experience.

Watch the dancing fountains

The dancing fountains are one of the most iconic landmarks of The Dubai Mall and are definitely not to be missed. The fountain show takes place every 30 minutes after 6 p.m. in the open area next to Souk Al Bahar. We recommend reaching the location 15 minutes before the show to find a good viewing spot.

Visit The Underwater Zoo & Aquarium

The Dubai Mall is home to one of the largest aquariums in the world that houses over 1400 marine species, including Tiger Sharks, Sting Rays, and more. The Aquarium is an absolute spectacle to behold and can be viewed for free from the mall. If you want to experience the underwater world up close, you can also choose to visit the Underwater Zoo & Aquarium , where you will get an opportunity to look at the animals from a special tunnel under the aquarium and witness many more of them including the massive King Croc.

Enjoy a delicious meal

The Dubai Mall houses some of the best restaurants in the city, ranging from fine-dining venues to fast-food chains. No matter your food preference, you are sure to find something you like at the mall. As you will spend the entire day in the mall, you can try multiple restaurants and cafes for different meals.

Explore other parts of the mall

There are many more things to do and see in The Dubai Mall, like Souk Al Bahar, The Ice Rink, Hysteria (haunted house), PlayDXB (VR arcade area), Reel Cinemas, and Infinity Des Lumieres. You can choose the places you want to visit and plan the rest of your day accordingly.

The Dubai Mall houses over 1000 retail shops, from luxury to departmental stores. If you still have time to spare, you can explore the shopping scene and splurge on the wide collections offered in the mall.

Day 2 – Dubai Frame + Desert Safari

The second day can be dedicated to Desert Safari, another exciting Dubai experience that should definitely not be missed. Desert Safari takes you on an exciting journey into the desert. It gives you an opportunity to experience the traditional Bedouin lifestyle in a desert camp with exciting activities like dune bashing, camel riding, belly dancing, and more.

Important note: Desert Safari experiences must be booked at least 2 days in advance, so make sure you make your reservations as early as possible.

Most standard desert safari experiences begin between 2 to 3 pm and last till 9 p.m., which means that it will take almost your entire day. However, if you start your day early, you can also add a visit to The Dubai Frame to your itinerary. The Dubai Frame experience takes about an hour, which makes it the perfect thing to add to your day with Desert Safari.

Day 3 – Burj Al Arab Tour + Kite Beach

On the third day of your trip, it’s time to explore the iconic Burj Al Arab. The only 7-star hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab is a spectacle to behold both from the outside and inside. You can explore the hotel even if you are not staying there with a special Inside Burj Al Arab tour experience that takes you around the luxurious location with a private butler who gives you all the history and information about the place.

As Burj Al Arab is located on the edge of Kite Beach, you can pair your tour with a day at the beach. Kite Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Dubai and is perfect for a relaxing, laid-back day with friends and family. You can choose to participate in one of the many watersports that happen at the beach, including kayaking, jet skiing, paragliding, and surfing, or just enjoy a relaxing day on the sandy shore and witness a beautiful sunset.

The Kite Beach is also lined with multiple dining destinations, so if you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Day 4 – Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark + The Pointe

Buckle up because day four is going to be an adventurous one. If you love water and adventure, then you should definitely add the Aquaventure Waterpark to the list. Certified by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest waterpark, Aquaventure houses 100+ thrilling water rides and attractions, including the world-famous Leap of Faith with a near-vertical drop. With multiple attractions ranging from thrilling to mild and a dedicated kids’ area, Aquaventure is the perfect location for a fun family day out.

Aquaventure is located within the famous Atlantis hotel, which means that your visit will also give you an opportunity to explore the luxurious location. To make the most out of the day, ensure you arrive at Aquaventure as early as possible.

As Aquaventure is situated in Palm Jumeirah, you can continue your day and head to The Pointe to explore the happening area with multiple retail and dining destinations and enjoy a delicious meal with gorgeous views of the Arabian coast.

Alternatively, you can also switch the Aquaventure visit with a snorkeling experience at Deep Dive Dubai , which is the world’s deepest pool. If you are not a water person, you can also choose to visit one of the many theme parks in Dubai, like IMG Worlds of Adventure or Dubai Parks & Resorts , on this day.

Visiting with kids? Learn more about fun things to do with kids in Dubai with our full guide. 

Day 5 – Deira Souk + Al Seef + Global Village

We hope you’re not tired because day five will be jam-packed with fun experiences. Start your day bright and early and head to the Deira Souk to delve into the tradition and culture of the region. Deira Souk is the perfect place to discover Dubai’s merchant and trade history and buy fun and exciting souvenirs and local spices. If you’re in the mood to splurge, you can also head to the famous Deira Gold Souk, which is located right there.

To add to your cultural experience, take an Abra ride to Al Seef. An abra is a small, traditional boat dating back many years that takes visitors from one side of the port to the other. True to its spirit, an Abra ride still costs only 1 AED per person, just like in old times.

Get off the Abra and head to Al Seef, one of the most unique locations in Dubai. Built to resemble the olden structures of the city, Al Seef is a beautiful complex with multiple retail and dining destinations that are perfect for shopping and a little stroll that takes you back to history.

After your trip down the historical lane, it’s time to travel the world at Global Village. Global Village is an annual outdoor fair that houses 30+ country pavilions and is one of Dubai’s top tourist destinations. As it’s a massive place to explore, we recommend heading to Global Village as soon as it opens (at 4 p.m.) so that you have the entire day.

Global Village is one of the best dining and shopping destinations, with 1000s of retail and dining destinations from around the world. You can find traditional chaat from India, Bosinain kebabs, Thai tempura shrimp, and so much more. We recommend going to Global Village on an empty stomach so that you can try as many delicacies as possible! It’s the perfect place to add to your Dubai family trip itinerary.

Suppose you visit during summer when Global Village is not open (between April and September). In that case, you can use this day to visit other popular destinations like the Museum Of The Future.

Bonus Days For A 7-Day Dubai Itinerary

Day 6 – day trip to abu dhabi.

If you’re in town for a few extra days, a day trip to Abu Dhabi is definitely worth it. Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE, is just an hour and a half drive from Dubai. You can choose to rent a car and drive to Abu Dhabi or take an easy intercity bus from one of the many bus stations in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi has many popular tourist destinations, the most famous being the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is known as one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Here are a few attractions you can choose to visit during your day in Abu Dhabi.

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Qasr Al Watan
• Louvre Abu Dhabi
• Yas Island Mall & Marina Circuit
• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
• Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

You can also choose to extend your Abu Dhabi visit to two days; there is plenty to do in the city. If you’re looking for more things to do in Abu Dhabi, check out our full guide here. 

Day 7 – Shopping

If you have one more day to spare, dedicate it to a shopping spree. Dubai is known as one of the best shopping destinations in the world, and rightfully so. The city houses some of the best shopping malls in the world, like The Dubai Mall, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Festival City Mall, and so many more.

Each of these malls is jam-packed with a variety of retail locations ranging from high-end brands like Dior and Prada to more budget-friendly lines like HM and Zara, along with local stores that are filled with exciting products.

You can also choose to visit one of the two outlet locations in the city – Outlet Mall and Outlet Village, both of which house outlet stores of popular brands that offer amazing deals and discounts.

And just like that, you have a perfectly planned Dubai travel itinerary. If you want to switch any of the experiences mentioned above, here are a few more famous tourist destinations to add to your Dubai itinerary.

• Museum of the Future
• Miracle Garden
• XLine Dubai Marina

• How to Spend 4 Days in Dubai: The Perfect Dubai Itinerary

If you’re seeking a city that gives you culture, adrenaline, delectable food, and warm-spirited locals, then look no further than Dubai. On the surface, this gleaming city is known for its towering architectural masterpieces, sprawling malls, and luxury hotels.

But if you spend 4 days in Dubai then you’ll soon realize how much more the Middle Eastern mega-city has to offer.

Dubai must be one of the few places in the world where you can sunbathe on pristine beaches, surf down giant sand dunes, and wander around historic alleyways all within the same day.

Although this ginormous city in the United Arab Emirates gives you heaps to see, the great news is that you can enjoy the best of Dubai in 4 days.

This brings you to my Dubai travel guide! I’ve curated the perfect Dubai itinerary that will help you squeeze in all the top tourist attractions, as well as a few lesser-known gems that will make your trip unique.

Disclosure: *This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

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Table of Contents

Useful Info for Visiting Dubai

How to get to dubai.

Before we get started with all the fabulous things to do in Dubai in 4 days, let’s run over the essentials in order to make planning your trip as seamless as possible.

When it comes to getting to Dubai, chances are that you will fly to the city. However, if you are already based in the Middle East, you also have the option to drive to Dubai from a neighboring country.

Dubai is mainly served by the Dubai International Airport (DXB) but you can also catch flights to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). DXB is located close to the Deira district and a taxi to your downtown hotel will take around 20 minutes, while DWC is located 37 km (23 miles) southwest of Dubai.

DXB is a bustling transport hub with connections to most major cities around the world. Flights from Europe and the US are generally very affordable if you shop around. Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad often run deals and promotions so sign up for their newsletters and keep an eye on socials for discounts.

A quick tip – you might want to check out flight options to nearby Abu Dhabi. Depending on where you are flying from, it might be cheaper to disembark in the neighboring city and transfer to Dubai either via a car rental or by bus.

A bus to Dubai from Abu Dhabi should cost around AED 25 ($6.80 US) whilst a taxi will cost approximately AED 250-300 ($68-81 US). The drive takes about 90 minutes. If your schedule permits, spending one day in Abu Dhabi is a nice addition to tapping onto either end of your Dubai itinerary.

Read Next: Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: Which One to Visit and Why

Best time to visit Dubai

Because of Dubai’s spot slap-bang in the middle of the Arabain desert, the weather can get very intense in the city. It’s definitely one of those places where you need to plan your trip around the climate.

The best time to visit Dubai is during its ‘winter’ months – from November to March. Daytime temperatures linger around a comfortable 25°C (77°F) whilst evenings drop a few degrees cooler.

But bear in mind that this is the peak tourist season in the UAE and so attractions and beaches will be more crowded and hotels a lot pricier.

From April onwards the temperatures start to ramp up and it can become oppressively hot. By June/July, the city is usually in the late 30°Cs (95°F +).

If you’re planning to spend most of your Dubai itinerary indoors anyway, there will be air-conditioning to keep you cool. However the beaches, gardens, and desert will be harder to deal with.

The great thing about visiting Dubai during summer is that hotel prices plummet.

How to get around in Dubai

As a major metropolis, Dubai gives you the option to get around via either public transport or private car. Whilst it’s not a walkable city, there are some areas that are very pedestrian-friendly as you’ll see in my itinerary.

If you want to see the best of Dubai in 4 days without hiring a car, I would recommend doing a mix of public transport and taxis to save valuable sightseeing time.

As Dubai is a city that was designed for cars, the most comfortable way to get around Dubai is via a rental car.

There are loads of highways connecting the city. Once you’ve coughed up the necessary hire and insurance costs, petrol prices are very low in the UAE.

As most Emiratis drive, parking is available in abundance in Dubai and often it’s free – at least for a couple of hours.

For a guideline, an economy rental car will cost around AED 220 ($60 US) per day. 4X4 and luxury models will set you back a little more, especially during high season.

Dubai is well-served by taxis as well as the ridesharing apps like Uber and its Middle-Eastern equivalent, Careem.

In fact, the prices for roadside and rideshare taxis generally work out around the same – which is unusual. It’s worth picking up a Dubai SIM card and downloading both of the apps so that you have all the options at your fingertips.

When you hail taxis, you can ask for a price estimate and confirm whether or not the driver charges by the meter.

Public transport

Dubai has both metro and public bus systems in place. The metro operates across two lines – red and green.

These connect you to most of the major parts of the city but in some cases, the nearest station to certain attractions isn’t as close as you would hope.

So if you do opt to use public transport during your 4 days in Dubai, you will sometimes need to add on a bus or taxi transfer.

Additionally, you can use the bus system which will take you to pretty much anywhere you want to go. If you deviate from my suggested itinerary, you can use the RTA journey planner .

To use the metro and the bus, you will need to pick up a rechargeable Nol card which you can use to travel on both networks. You can do this at any metro station – the red card is suitable for getting around on your 4 days in Dubai itinerary.

It’s important to know that you can only buy Nol cards at metro stations and not at bus stations. Without a Nol card, you can’t get on any of the buses and the nearest metro station can be kilometers away. So it’s worth buying your Nol card well in advance, in case you’re planning to use public transportation in Dubai.

There are a few more exciting public transport options in Dubai which I’m going to mention in my Dubai itinerary so stay tuned!

Where to stay in Dubai

Unlike its compatriots – Singapore and Hong Kong, Dubai is not a walkable city. The distance between different places to visit is enormous. The public transportation in Dubai is also not very comprehensive and will eat up a lot of your sightseeing time.

Hence, depending on what you want to do as a tourist and your budget, you will have to decide which area would be best for you to stay in during your 4 days in Dubai.

Generally speaking, the  best areas to stay in Dubai  are Dubai Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). You can check all the hotel options in Dubai here, or if you don’t want to spend time searching, check out my recommendations below!

If you want to make your Dubai trip even more memorable, read my post about the best hotels in Dubai with Burj Khalifa view !

Do you prefer staying in Airbnbs rather than hotels? Then you need to check out my article about the best Airbnbs in Dubai , including beautiful Marina views, penthouses, and many more!

If you’re in a hurry, here are my top hotel recommendations for different budgets.

LUXURY – Atlantis the Palm

Located on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Island and enjoying a private sandy beach, the 5-star Atlantis offers stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. It provides an underwater aquarium and complimentary access to the Aquaventure water park and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

MID-RANGE – Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina

Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina has a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a bar in Dubai. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, room service, and currency exchange for guests.

BUDGET – Gulf Inn Hotel Al Nasr

Gulf Inn Hotel Al Nasr (formerly Roda Links Al Nasr) features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a shared lounge in Dubai. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. Gulf Inn Hotel Al Nasr offers a continental or buffet breakfast.

Overview of Your 4 Day Dubai Itinerary

Now it’s time to find out about all the amazing things to do in Dubai in 4 days! The section below includes an overview of your 4 days in Dubai itinerary with all the best highlights that I recommend visiting during each day of your trip.

While I’ve included some of the more touristy attractions that you have to see at least once in Dubai, I’ve also included a few of the more off-the-beaten-track locations as well.

Breakdown of your Dubai itinerary

• Day 1:  Al Bastakia Quarter, Dubai Museum, XVA Gallery, Souks of Deira, Dubai abra boat ride, Al Dhiyafah Road
• Day 2: Sunrise at Burj Khalifa, Burj Park by Emaar, Dubai Miracle Garden, Ride the Palm Jumeirah Monorail, Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dinner at The Pointe
• Day 3: Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Desert Safari
• Day 4: Jumeirah Mosque, Etihad Museum, Jumeirah Public Beach,  Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Marina

When you plan out your 4 days in Dubai itinerary bear in mind that certain attractions are closed or operate reduced hours on Friday, which is the Islamic holy day.

Map for your 4 days in Dubai

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this Dubai itinerary.

I marked your 4 days in Dubai with different colors – I used blue for the first day, green for the second day, red for the third day, and yellow for the fourth day, so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit each day.

If you open up this post on your phone and you click on the bracket in the upper right corner of the map, it will automatically save this map to your Google Maps app so you can always have it with you. Super convenient, right?

Day 1 of Your 4 Days in Dubai

Al bastakiya.

Dubai is known for its glittering modern skyscrapers but tucked away beneath all the glass you can discover the traditional heritage of the city.

Al Bastakiya (also known as the Bastakiya Quarter or the Al Fahidi Historic District) gives you a feel of what Dubai was like before it has its modern facelift.

Located on the banks of Dubai Creek, Al Bastakiya was established in the 19th century when Dubai was developing into a thriving hub for trade.

The residences and commercial businesses are housed in buildings made from stone, teak, and sandalwood – which isn’t quite what you expect from Dubai! This walkable area is a labyrinth of alleyways and courtyards studded with plants, street art, cafes, museums, and galleries.

The Al Fahidi Metro is a 10-minute walk away from Al Bastakiya. I recommend that you get here as early in the day as possible before the sun heats up and then you can duck inside the following attractions to keep cool.

Dubai Museum (Temporarily closed)

The Dubai Museum is set within the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort which happens to be the oldest building in Dubai. The collection takes you back through Dubai’s colorful heritage which spans the pearl trade and date farming.

You’ll also learn about the various desert, marine, and agricultural lifestyles of old Dubai residents and see a traditional Emirati home reconstruction.

Entry to Dubai Museum is 3 AED ($0.80 US) which makes this one of the most budget-friendly things to do in Dubai in 4 days.

The museum is open between 8.30 am-8.30 pm from Saturday to Thursday and from 2.30 pm to 8.30 pm on Fridays.

XVA Gallery

A short walk from the fort, the XVA gallery houses exhibitions from contemporary Arabian artists. Exhibitions change frequently and the works showcased are vastly different in terms of form and composition.

As many of the artists exhibited aim to raise awareness of political and social issues, it will give you plenty of food for thought.

Entry to XVA is totally free and the gallery is open daily, from 10 am to 6 pm. If you’re visiting Dubai in March, you can check out the SIKKA Art Fair that takes place here.

Sip coffee and eat dates

After you’ve had a wander around the maze of Al Bastakiya, you should reward your feet by finding a nook in one of its quaint cafes.

The Arabian Tea House serves all the Arabic food you could possibly crave. Varying from light plates, biryanis, and sweet treats you can also take your pick from a wide range of teas and coffees.

Stop here for a slice of date cake and a refreshing drink or make this your lunch stop.

Once you cross over the Dubai Creek from Bur Dubai you have the Deira district which is famous for its gold and spice souks.

The Gold Souk is a warren of avenues where you can find quality gold jewelry studded with precious gemstones.

If you do wish to buy something, make sure you shop from the official shops rather than the street vendors. Pieces are sold by weight and you are expected to barter with the salespeople – they won’t be offended.

Across from the Gold Souk, you’ll find the Spice Souk (sometimes called the Old Souk) which is home to every single spice you’ve ever heard of. Again, it’s totally acceptable to haggle so don’t be shy.

Even if you don’t want to buy anything, meandering around the souks is a fun addition to your Dubai 4 days itinerary that will immerse you in Emirati culture.

The Gold Souk is open 9.30 am – 9.30 pm from Saturday to Thursday, and 4 pm – 9.30 pm on Fridays. The Spice Souk is open earlier than 8 am to past 9 pm, except on Fridays when the market is closed. Both places are free to enter and in most cases, you can pay for products via credit card, but take extra cash just in case.

Dubai Abra boat ride

You can cross over Dubai Creek in your rental car or via the metro. But what’s much more fun is riding on the Dubai abra!

These are historic wooden vessels that are half boat, half raft. The motorized traditional abra has been fitted with a motor but the original style remains. These ones ferry locals and tourists from Bur Dubai to Deira and vice versa.

It might surprise you that the birthplace of Dubai’s trading heritage, Dubai Creek, is still used for this function even today. Whilst you cross over the creek you can expect to see various boats of cargo being loaded or unloaded.

During your Dubai itinerary, you can choose to transit to and from each district via abra . The crossing only costs 1 AED ($0.30 US) in the motorized traditional boat. I would recommend crossing back to Bur Dubai at sunset.

If you want to soak up more of the Dubai Creek, you might want to hop aboard the Petrol Heritage Abra on the 45-minute scenic cruise.

This costs AED 25 ($6.80 US) per person or you can even charter a private traditional abra for AED 120 ($32.70 US) for an hour-long private tour.

Al Dhiyafah Road

To tie in with your cultural immersion of ancient Dubai, for the first evening of your 4 days in Dubai I suggest diving into some tasty Middle Eastern food. As a cosmopolitan city, you can actually find more or less any food nationalities in Dubai.

Al Dhiyafah Road is Dubai’s hotspot for affordable street-food-style restaurants that range from Emirati, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and beyond.

If you need some inspiration, check out Al Mallah Dhiyafah for your Arabic and Lebanese favorites. You can walk off your meal by taking a stroll past the Satwa Big Mosque which looks amazing under a quilt of stars.

The closest metro to reach the strip of eateries is the World Trade Centre. From there you can walk around 15 minutes to find where the cluster of restaurants begins.

Day 2 of Your 4 Days in Dubai

Sunrise at burj khalifa.

One of the unmissable things to do in Dubai in 4 days is to summit the tallest tower on the planet!

The cloud-piercing Burj Khalifa measures an incredible 830 meters (2,720 feet) in height and wherever you go in Dubai, you’ll constantly be under its gaze.

Whilst you can appreciate the architecture from the ground, visiting the observation deck means that you get to see the best views across the city and Persian Gulf. It’s a bit pricey but trust me, it’s totally worth it!

Admission tickets to the observation deck (level 124 and 125) start at AED 169 ($46 US), you can buy your tickets here . If you want to also visit level 148 ticket prices start at AED 399 ($108.60 US), you can buy them here . You also have the possibility to visit the world’s highest lounge (levels 152, 153, 154), for AED 769 ($209.40 US).

If you want to book your visit to coincide with sunset (prime hours are 4 pm – 6 pm), the tickets are more expensive. Whichever option you choose, make sure to book your tickets online in advance!

My personal recommendation is to visit at sunrise instead of sunset because this way you’ll have fewer crowds and have a more peaceful experience. The light is incredible for photographs.

A 10-minute walk away, the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station is the closest public transport option. Alternatively, there is masses of parking at the mall.

Burj Park by Emaar

The Burj Park by Emaar is an island that sits within the Burj Lake, across from the Dubai Fountain (the world’s largest). It was originally constructed for special events and formal occasions so the presentation is immaculate.

Plus, it gives you some of the best views of the Burj Khalifa so if you’re looking for the most instagrammable places in Dubai , you definitely need to check it out!

At the time I visited the park, cameras were not allowed but it was fine to take photos with smartphones. This rule appears to have relaxed however you might want to plan to be stealthy with your camera, just in case.

Make sure you have a wide-angle lens with you, otherwise you will have a hard time fitting the whole Burj Khalifa in your photo!

You can easily walk to the Burj Park by Emaar from the Burj Khalifa within minutes.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Featuring over 50 million flowers, the Dubai Miracle Garden is the largest (Dubai really likes its world records!) natural flower garden on the planet.

There are also 250 million plants sharing this space. All the displays are innovatively curated and there’s even an Emirates plane drenched with blooms.

If you follow my advice and visit Dubai during the winter months, you can add this floral paradise to your Dubai itinerary.

However, the garden is closed from mid-May until November so if you plan to visit during these months, then unfortunately you’ll have to skip this one and spend longer on the other items on today’s agenda.

The closest metro station is the Mall of Emirates (red line). From there you need to take the 105 bus which drops you right outside the Miracle Garden.

Alternatively, you can hail a taxi to save time. If you are driving your rental – there are loads of parking around the garden.

Palm Jumeirah

Once you’ve had your fill of flowers you can head over to another of Dubai’s most famous attractions – the Palm Jumeirah.

This is the sprawling artificial island that resembles a palm tree from above, so don’t forget to peer out of the plane window on arrival in the city.

Palm Jumeirah is studded with some of Dubai’s fanciest hotels, private residences, and upscale eateries. Atlantis The Palm, one of the most famous hotels in the world, is located at the end. Besides the cost of the transport, Palm Jumeirah is free to visit and you don’t have to be a guest at any of the resorts to explore it.

The best way to access the island during your Dubai 4 days itinerary is by riding the super-speedy and very convenient Palm Monorail. You can park your car by the Palm Gateway station or have a taxi drop you there if you are coming from the Dubai Miracle Garden.

A single ticket costs AED 20 ($5.45 US), a round trip costs AED 30 ($8.20 US) and an unlimited day pass costs AED 35 ($9.50 US). You can buy these in advance or at the station.

Lost Chambers Aquarium

You might want to tap on a few hours to explore the Atlantis-themed Lost Chambers Aquarium, which is part of the plush Atlantis Hotel.

The Ambassador Lagoon is home to a whopping 65,000 marine creatures and the aquarium is rich in information about the exhibits and conservation efforts.

Entry to the Lost Chambers costs AED 115 ($31.30 US), you can buy your tickets here . If you want to make your visit even more special, you can choose to tap on additional experiences like scuba diving.

The aquarium is open daily 10 am – 9 pm.

For the second evening of your 4 days in Dubai itinerary, you can dine in style on Palm Jumeirah. There is no shortage of places to eat on Palm Island but my recommendation is to eat at The Pointe.

This is a new neighborhood that has been developed only recently and now has over 80 restaurants and bars in addition to various boutiques.

There is a beautiful fountain that rivals the Dubai Fountain and The Pointe hosts regular events, festivals, and farmers’ markets.

If you want to watch a film 5 kilometers at sea, you can even do that. Those 80 restaurants cover Arabic, Mexican and Asian food to name a few and you can find scrumptious seafood plates too.

Day 3 of Your 4 Days in Dubai

Even if you’re not a fan of shopping, no Dubai 4 days itinerary can be complete without a trip to one of the city’s prestigious malls. Even if you only want to window shop.

Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world in terms of land area – yes, another world record for this Middle Eastern city! You can shop for clothes, interiors, toys, fragrances, and beyond, plus there are loads of places to grab some breakfast.

In addition to all the shops, there are some cool installations dotted around the plaza, like the Waterfall Wall. The sculpture traverses all four levels of the mall and depicts human divers plunging gracefully into the pool of water at the bottom.

Dubai Mall opens daily at 10 am and closes at 11 pm from Monday to Thursday and 12 am from Friday to Sunday.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Inside the Dubai Mall is the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo – home to sharks, rays, and tens of thousands of tropical fish. A huge walk-through tunnel gives you the chance to get up so close you’ll almost feel like you’re scuba diving!

The entrance to the aquarium is located on the 2nd floor and it is open during weekdays 10 am – 11 pm and on weekends 10 am – 12 am. Tickets start at AED 199 ($54 US) and you can add encounters or skip the line admission. You can buy your tickets to Dubai Aquarium here !

Unless you really love sea life, you might not want to visit both of Dubai’s aquariums. So feel free to decide which one you want to include in your 4 days in Dubai (the Dubai Aquarium or the Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm) and give the other a miss.

Dubai Desert Safari

Buckle up – the next item on your Dubai itinerary is going to give you an adrenaline blast!  As the city of Dubai rises out of the evocative red sand dunes you’ve no doubt spotted photos of, it would be crazy to miss the chance to see them for yourself.

If you’ve followed my advice so far and went inside the Dubai Museum, then you’ll visit the desert with some existing understanding of the Bedouin way of life.

Once in the desert, you will have the chance to gain even deeper knowledge with a series of interactive cultural activities.

To make the most of the desert, you need to book a desert safari tour. There is no shortage of options but I’m personally recommending the Al Khayma Camp desert safari that we went on.

This one is of great value as it includes dune bashing, sandboarding, camel feeding, henna painting, watching a dance show, and a scrumptious sunset BBQ. You get to stay in the camp until the sun vanishes, and experience the desert in the dark.

If you want to go quad biking you can add this on but you will need to pay extra. You will be collected from your hotel around 2 pm by a professional driver and a 4×4 Land Cruiser which will take you out into the Lahbab Desert. Afterward, you will be dropped off back at your hotel, so you don’t need to worry about transportation at all.

This is one of the most popular desert tours in Dubai and they really live up to all the expectations! In case the tours are sold out or you’re looking for something else, make sure to check out my post about the best desert safaris in Dubai that contains 15 amazing options for every budget.

Day 4 of your 4 Days in Dubai

Jumeirah mosque.

As one of only two mosques open to non-Muslims in the city, taking a tour of the Jumeirah Mosque is one of the most fascinating things to do in Dubai in 4 days.

Although it was constructed in the 1970s, the style commemorates traditional mosque architecture.

Built in a Fatimid style that originates from Syria/Egypt, the mosque is one of the most attractive places of worship in the whole city.

A tour is the best way to visit the mosque as you’ll gain a unique insight into the culture of Islam in the UAE and have the chance to ask questions. Tours operate daily at 10 am (excluding Fridays) and last a little over one hour.

You should arrive at 9.30 am to register – there’s no need to do this in advance. The tour costs AED 35 ($9.50 US) per person and includes Emirati snacks and coffee.

If you don’t want to take the tour you can still visit the mosque and appreciate the exteriors. The closest metro stop is Al Jafiliya. From there you can take a short taxi ride to the mosque or hop on the C10 bus.

Modest dress is required if you visit the mosque, including the need to cover your hair with a headscarf. If you forget, there are some clothes that you can hire for the tour.

Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum is a 15-minute walk from the mosque. Whilst the Dubai Museum focuses on local history, this museum spans the foundation of the UAE.

The archive shows you a glimpse of the past before and after the treaty that now unites the seven emirates was signed.

As you can tell from the exterior, this is a very modernly curated museum and some of the technology inside is pretty futuristic. It’s a fun and interactive way to digest the history of the UAE.

Entry to the Etihad Museum is AED 25 ($6.80 US). It’s open daily 10 am – 8 pm, with guided tours scheduled at 12 pm and 5 pm. Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring the collections.

Jumeirah Public Beach

With all those glitzy skyscrapers, endless malls, wondrous gardens, epic fountains, and historic docklands – you might have forgotten something.

Dubai occupies a prime position in the Persian Gulf and also has an amazing collection of sandy beaches. And after a packed couple of days aborning the city – you’ve earned a dip in that inviting water.

If you’re spending 4 days in Dubai then my suggestion is Jumeirah Public Beach. The beach is free to access and provides one of the best views of the Burj al Arab.

Rising to 321 meters (1,050 feet), this sail-shaped hotel is another of Dubai’s architectural wonders. Cast out in the ocean, you can get the best views of the world’s only 7-star hotel from Jumeirah Public Beach.

With soft golden sand, the beach is perfect for sunbathing and swimming in the bathtub-warm ocean. You can also go surfing or dabble in other watersports.

You can walk to Jumeirah Public Beach from Etihad Museum in 20-30 minutes. Alternatively jump on bus 8, 9, or C10 and alight opposite McDonald’s.

Dubai Creek Harbour

Dubai Creek Harbour is a neighborhood located in eastern Dubai which provides one of the best views of the city skyline.

At the time I visited, the area was still under development but now it’s bustling with restaurants and quirky street art and sculptures.

Many people confuse this place with Dubai Creek but while Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek that is now part of the new Dubai canal, Dubai Creek Harbour is a specific neighborhood on the shores of Dubai Creek.

Currently, it can’t be reached with public transportation so you will need to arrange a taxi to get there, however, it’s absolutely worth it!

After a busy 4 days in Dubai, this is a wonderful spot to take stock of what you’ve seen and reflected on your time in the city.

I recommend visiting in time for sunset as you’ll be able to get some special photos of the sun sinking behind Dubai’s striking cityscape.

You might want to stay here and enjoy a glass of wine or even order dinner as the Dubai skyline twinkles in the background. At Mondoux , you can tuck into ocean-fresh seafood dishes and burgers.

Dubai Marina

Last but not least – you should wrap up your holiday in the Middle East with some cocktails overlooking the Dubai Marina. You can ride the red line to the Dubai Marina metro station or treat yourself to a taxi.

You’re spoilt for choice with options for bars but some of the best ones for drinks, views, and overall ambiance are  Pure Sky Lounge and Bliss Lounge .

Alternatively, if you don’t want to eat at Dubai Creek Harbour, you can have dinner at Dubai Marina as well. If so, I would recommend booking a table in advance at the restaurant you choose.

Planning a trip to the UAE?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about the United Arab Emirates. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

• Top 10 Best Areas to Stay in Dubai
• 23 Incredible Dubai Hotels with Burj Khalifa View
• 21 Super Unique Airbnbs in Dubai for Every Budget
• 24 Most Beautiful Instagrammable Places in Dubai
• 15 Best Desert Safaris in Dubai You Can’t Go Wrong With
• 88 Best Dubai Quotes & Dubai Captions for Instagram
• Hotel Review: Fairmont The Palm, Dubai
• Hotel Review: Th8 Palm, Dubai
• Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi: 7 Best Areas & Hotels
• How to See the Best of Abu Dhabi in One Day
• 7 Epic Instagrammable Places in Abu Dhabi You Can’t Miss
• Abu Dhabi vs Dubai: Which One to Visit and Why
• Hotel Review: Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
• Hotel Review: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

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5-day Dubai travel planner

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• Things To Do: 5-day Dubai travel planner | flydubai

Dubai is an increasingly popular destination for tourists thanks to its impressive, modern structures, world-class shopping, global cuisine, and opportunities for adventure. If you only have a few days in the emirate, however, you'll want to plan an itinerary to ensure you see and experience the best Dubai has to offer. Consider this 5-day itinerary guide to help you maximize your time here.

Dubai in 5 days from Visit Dubai on Youtube .

Day 1: Sightseeing

Whether you're in Dubai for the first time or you're a frequent visitor, there is so much to see in this populous emirate that you'll discover something new each time. Since you may want to spend your first day getting your bearings, this is the best time to tour the city.

You'll definitely want to buy a ticket to the top of Burj Khalifa for a bird's eye view of the skyline. This landmark building is Dubai's tallest at 829.8 m, and it boasts a world-famous observation deck on the 124th floor that is not to be missed.

Handy Hint - It is highly recommended that you pre-book your Burj Khalifa experience as far in advance as possible (especially for weekend visits) as this is a very popular attraction. Tickets can be pre-booked from the Burj Khalifa website .

Booking a tour with one of the many touring companies is a great way to acclimatize yourself to your surroundings. Enjoy a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, a luxurious dinner cruise, or rent a car so you can explore the city yourself.

Day 2: Museums and Heritage Sites

Dubai has so many museums that it would take more than a week to see them all, but setting aside one day to visit the ones you're most interested in isn't a bad idea. You may want to start with the Dubai Museum , the emirate's main museum, which is located at the oldest existing building in the city: the Al Fahidi Fort .

This museum houses old Dubai maps, local antiquities, Asian and African artifacts, and emirate documents. You'll also experience depictions of desert life, including a Bedouin tent, a model mosque, and sea-faring collections.

Other sites you won't want to miss include the Emirates National Auto Museum , the Antiques Museum , Heritage House , the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, and Hatta Heritage Village .

Day 3: Adventures

Dubai offers plenty of opportunities for sports and adventure, from camel racing to car rallying in the sand dunes, there’s something on offer for everyone.

The United Arab Emirates is home to some of the best resorts in the world where families of all ages can enjoy horseback riding in the desert, laser shooting, and even archery.

Adventurous types can test their rock climbing skills or unwind on a jet ski.

Theme and Water Parks

Whether you're an avid thrill seeker, a moderate risk taker or a family with bold youngsters, you'll find just the right choice. Choose from theme parks like IMG Worlds of Adventure , Legoland Dubai and  Bollywood Parks , or splash into a world of Aquaventure Waterpark and Wild Wadi.

Desert Safari

Experience thrill and extreme adventure when you take a Dubai desert safari. Dune bashing in a 4x4, quad biking, camel riding, and sandboarding - an adventure awaits you among the golden sands. Many desert safaris also offer an alfresco barbecue dinner, belly dancing, shisha and sunset photography.

Go skiing, snowboarding, and witness the 'March of the Penguins' at Ski Dubai - an indoor ski resort at Mall of the Emirates. You'll find 22,500sqm of the area covered in snow with jump slopes, play areas, and the famous Avalanche café . Here you might be introduced to a beautiful colony of King and Gentoo penguins.

Day 4: Unique Shopping

The shopping malls in Dubai are dramatically different to those in Paris or New York and the experience is one-of-a-kind. We've already mentioned the Mall of Emirates with its indoor ski slope, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Souk Madinat , for instance, located inside the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel , features a unique waterway that transfers shoppers from restaurants and shops to nearby hotels.

Shop until you drop at one of the largest and luxurious malls in the UAE, The Dubai Mall . A brand-lovers paradise with more than 1,200 outlets spanning 1.1 million sqm. You'll find designer boutiques, the breathtaking Dubai Fountain , and the thrilling Dubai Aquarium - home to thousands of aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species. Visit the nearby Souk Al Bahar to experience the traditional Arabian market.

Handy Hint - Make sure you don’t miss out on the Dubai Summer Surprises , one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year. Dubai Summer Surprises starts in June and has a host of internationally-acclaimed shows for the family, concerts, exhibitions and other live events. Dubai Summer Surprises also offers special promotions, huge discounts, and raffles.

Day 5: Hatta

Dubai isn’t all fine dining and theme parks – the beautiful natural environment which surrounds the city is also well worth exploring.

As well as tackling sand dunes in a 4x4, visitors can travel to Hatta , 134km east of Dubai in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains , to enjoy its Heritage Village – a collection of restored traditional mountain homes – and take a cooling dip in the crystal clear waters of its lake and rock pool.

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My Dubai itinerary 8 days: My incredible itinerary for a family holiday to Dubai

By: Author Monica

Categories UAE

I’ve just returned from the most incredible 8 days in Dubai! It was a family holiday to Dubai with Emirates Holidays and we found this 8 day Dubai itinerary to be just perfect. It includes staying in two different hotels/resorts and has a really nice range of activities for the whole family.

Here’s my Dubai itinerary for 8 days….

If you’ve been following me on social media you will have seen our family holiday to Dubai all week because we had such an incredible time there. I’d go as far to say that our holiday to Dubai was the best family holiday we’ve ever taken. Honestly, it was THE dream!

Dubai is the perfect destination for families because it’s so family friendly and our 8 day Dubai itinerary made sure everyone was happy. There were fancy dinners and cocktails as well as waterparks, theme parks, shopping and plenty of time to chill.

I travelled to Dubai with my partner, Sam, and our two little boys, George (3) and Joseph (1.5) and it can be difficult to find activities that everyone genuinely loves, but we definitely got the perfect balance.

If you aren’t sure if Dubai is the perfect destination for your family, check out my post: 10 reasons why you should take your kids to Dubai.

My kids are older now but George still remembers this holiday. They also watch that YouTube video I made all the time and they LOVE it. They’re always asking to go back so we’re definitely going to have to go back at some point. Side note: If I was to go back again with older kids I’d definitely do things like desert safari tours Dubai ! The kids were too little when we went but they’d love this now.

Here’s what we got up to during our family holiday to Dubai

Day 1 – fly to dubai with emirates.

It’s a 7 hour flight to Dubai from Manchester and we flew with Emirates who were incredible. It was our first long flight with both the boys so we were a little nervous, but we definitely didn’t need to be!

Flying long-haul with kids is actually much easier than short-haul.

When we fly short-haul we usually travel with budget airlines and the tiny seats and tiny aisles make it difficult! But Emirates were incredible and they’re obviously used to taking lots of families to Dubai! We had bulk-head seats so the boys had plenty of space and the lovely Emirates staff couldn’t do enough to help. Kids get toys and activity packs when you board the plane and the entertainment system is incredible. George didn’t even get his toys out of his bag because he was busy with the games and shows on the inflight system.

Arrive at Lapita Hotel

For our first two nights, we were staying at Lapita , a beautiful Polynesian themed resort within Dubai Parks and Resorts . The family-friendly hotel has that perfect balance between luxury, comfort and laid-back friendliness.

We were all tired when we arrived but the lovely staff perked us up, and a tour around the resort on a buggy impressed the boys!

Our huge room was elegant and homey and we were welcomed with the most incredible fruit basket, a delicious red velvet cake shaped like a tool box (we’re not sure if they knew Sam is a builder or if this was coincidence!) and little cupcakes with extra treats on the side for the boys to decorate them.

We ordered room service, put the boys to bed and enjoyed a glass of wine on the balcony overlooking the pool that was twinkling with pretty lights. Ahhh, finally we were relaxed and on holiday!

It has been snowing when we’d left Manchester 10 hours earlier and it felt so surreal to be sat on this incredible balcony feeling warm and relaxed while listening to the crickets. That snowy drive to the airport felt like a million years ago.

It had been a surprisingly easy journey to Dubai so it was the perfect start to the family holiday.

Day 2 – LEGOLAND

We all slept late due to jetlag so dashed to the hotel buffet for breakfast at 10.45am!

Sleeping past 10am is a rare treat when you’ve got toddlers so this was a good morning for us!

The breakfast buffet at Lapita was incredible and we enjoyed it outside looking out over the bright flowers.

Sam and I had our coffees in the sunshine while the boys chased the little birds who came to pick up their crumbs.

We then made our way to Dubai Parks and Resorts which is connected to the hotel. I’ve written a whole post about Dubai Parks and Resorts because it’s amazing and a lot of people don’t seem to know it’s there and it’s a must-see during a family holiday to Dubai!

It’s a leisure and theme park destination and is home to:

• LEGOLAND Dubai
• LEGOLAND Dubai Waterpark
• Motiongate Dubai
• Bollywood Parks Dubai
• Riverland Dubai

Riverland isn’t a theme park, it’s the gateway to the theme parks and has four zones; The French Village, Boardwalk, India Gate, and The Peninsula.

Our hotel room at Lapita was by the entrance to the French Village and very close to LEGOLAND (less than 10 minute walk) so it was a perfect position for a young family who don’t want to be walking far.

We had a stroll through the very pretty French Village which has lots of shops, cafes and restaurants before spending the remainder of the day at LEGOLAND.

LEGOLAND was brilliant and it’s so nice that the boys are finally at an age where they appreciate things like this. There are over 40 LEGO themed rides and attractions and it’s aimed at kids ages 2-12, but even Joseph (aged 18 months) loved it.

There are lots of exciting soft play areas, a medieval land and he loved watching his big brother driving cars and boats and riding trains. There was a lot that even George was too small for but it was still worth it and a really fun afternoon out.

We ate at the Market Restaurant which was delicious and had loads of nice options for kids.

We bribed the kids out of LEGOLAND with ice creams and walked back to the hotel to cool off in the pool at Lapita. This hotel pool is one of the best I’ve ever been to because it has a gorgeous lazy river running around it and the kid’s pool was huge. And to make it even better, they were both heated and were perfectly warm. We had a splash about and then went to the hotel buffet for dinner.

Day 3 – LEGOLAND Waterpark

On our third day we spent a few more hours at LEGOLAND but then headed next door to LEGOLAND Waterpark. This waterpark was perfect for us because it’s aimed at younger kids (ages 2-12 again). The boys had a lot of fun splashing and Sam made it onto a few of the bigger rides too.

We had lunch at a pretty bakery in the French Village and as we sat outside watching the world go by you could easily forget where you were and think you’re in France for a moment!

Our 8 day Dubai itinerary suggests swapping hotels during your stay and I can’t recommend doing this enough. It almost felt like we had two mini holidays. I know it seems like a bit of a faff to repack your bags and move but it was so exciting and it was amazing to experience two hotels!

Moving hotels…

Late that afternoon we left Lapita for the second half of our Dubai and itinerary! We took a taxi to our second hotel, the famous Atlantis the Palm , and wow, what a hotel.

I instantly felt like I was cheating on Lapita because I’d loved our time at Lapita – it was beautiful and chilled and friendly and fun, but Atlantis the Palm is something else entirely. This hotel definitely gets a gold star for first impressions. We had to pick our jaws up off the floor as we walked along the red carpet guiding us into the magnificent lobby and through to a luxury lounge filled with roses while we waited to check in.

The main lobby was bustling with people who were just visiting to see the hotel and we felt incredibly lucky to be staying here.

We were staying in a two bedroom Terrace club suite so we had some special extras thanks to our fancy room. Checking in in this lovely lounge was one of them but we also had access to different lounges around the hotel where drinks and snacks were served all day. When someone says ‘snacks’ I imagine it will be crisps and salted peanuts and possibly a Ritz cracker if you’re lucky but it was actually a mini buffet we could access for most of the day! It was amazing. But not as amazing as our room….

We were escorted up to our rooms on the 14 th floor. Yes, that’s right, roomS. Plural! We walked into a huge living room – which, kind of depressingly, was much bigger than our living room at home! Double doors led on to the master bedroom where the boys instantly scrambled onto the enormous bed while I checked out the massive bathroom and dressing room. In the opposite direction was George’s bedroom with a huge bathroom with shutters that opened up to the room. He had two double king sized beds and a lovely sunny balcony of his own.

One of the highlights of our room was the view from the terrace. We looked out to the sea and could see the famous Burj Al Arab in the distance. But when you looked down we could see the top of the huge fish tank and see sharks and sting rays on the surface. It was incredible!

Day 5 – The Lost Chambers Aquarium

Once we’d got over how incredible the Atlantis is, we explored the grounds of the hotel and the lovely pools, beaches and gardens before heading to the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Whilst in Dubai we were doing some filming with a film crew to make a video for Emirates Ice Channel, which is their own channel available on the plane, so we were really lucky and were allowed to go into The Lost Chambers before it opened so we could film without people in the background. Yes, we had The Lost Chambers to ourselves!

It’s an Atlantis-themed aquarium and you walk through 10 huge chambers to explore the underwater world and see creatures you’d never imagine you’d see in real life. It was so beautiful, tranquil and serene and the most incredible aquarium you could imagine. Cushions are scattered in front of many of the enormous glass windows so you can sit down and watch over 65,000 marine animals within this magical setting.

This was such an amazing experience because Sam and I were just as entranced as George and Joseph were and we could have stayed here all day.

Side note: They also do morning yoga in the Lost Chambers for any of my fellow yogis! I hadn’t realised until it was too late but I really wish I’d done this!

We checked out the amazing kid’s club and then had lunch at The Shore , a luxurious beach bar serving Mexican food.

We took the kids back to our room for an afternoon nap and then spent the rest of the day splashing around the pool and beach.

Day 6 – Aquaventure

No Dubai itinerary would be complete without a trip to Aquaventure.

Aquaventure is the Middle East and Europe’s number 1 waterpark and it’s HUGE! It’s part of Atlantis the Palm and, once again, we had the amazing opportunity to go in before it opened with the film crew.

Sam made the most of it by trying out some of the bigger rides before there were any queues while I splashed around the kid’s pool with the boys.

There’s Splashers Children’s Area which is great for brave little ones or those over 3 but there’s also a brand new kids area for babies and younger ones. This was great for us because George and Joseph were a bit scared by Splashers but the tiny slides and shallow water in the new bit was amazing. I spent the next three hours stood at the bottom of slides applauding the boys as they came down again and again and again! That’s mum life! If you’re planning a family holiday to Dubai then I 100% recommend Aquaventure. If you don’t do anything else on this itinerary, go here!

Once again, we went back to our room for an afternoon nap before heading back out to the pool, beach and pirate ship play area.

Now it’s time for the adult’s treat in this Dubai itinerary…

That evening we had babysitters from the hotel come into our room to watch the kids while Sam and I went out for dinner at YUAN, Dubai’s best Chinese restaurant within the hotel resort.

I was a bit nervous about leaving the kids with a stranger but my mind was at rest as soon as two lovely ladies arrived. They came in with arms full of toys and the boys barely even noticed us after that! The babysitters gave the boys their dinner which arrived via room service, played with them for an hour and put them to bed.

The food at YUAN was delicious and definitely not like the Chinese takeaways I’m used to. We started off with cocktails and then had fried and steamed dumplings. We shared our main courses because we couldn’t decide between the Waygu beef and the duck. We followed up with decadent deserts before taking a much needed walk around the hotel which looks so pretty at night.

Day 7 – Burj Khalifa, Kidzania, Open top bus and Dubai Miracle Garden

The 7th day of our Dubai itinerary was a busy one with lots of family-friendly activities.

We were spoiled rotten when we went up the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, because we were invited to the 148 th floor where we were the only people in the lounge. It was such a magical experience to see Dubai from an incredible vantage point and it was another experience where the boys were just as excited as Sam and I.

After visiting the Burj Khalifa we walked to Kidzania which is nearby.

Kidzania is an ‘enteractional’ interactive city run by kids and is a must-visit during a family holiday to Dubai. It’s basically a mini indoor city with shops and hospitals and a fire department and dentists etc and kids run it all. You have special Kidzania money that they earn through working jobs and then use it to drive cars and other fun things. It’s a really fun place but George was a bit young for it and just got frustrated people kept telling him what to do. I can imagine they’d both love it in a few years though!

If you want to do some shopping then this is the section of the Dubai itinerary for you!

We had lunch in Dubai Mall, the biggest mall in the world. Dubai Mall is absolutely incredible and I can highly recommend a walk around the mall, even if you aren’t here for the shopping! 

After a stroll around Dubai Mall, we jumped on the City Sightseeing Tour bus. This was OK but I’d recommend doing it at around 5pm when it’s cooler. We could only get seats in the sun and were melting at the top of the bus! It was too hot to really enjoy the sights. 

Our final stop was Dubai Miracle Garden which was a bit of a drive but it is the most extravagant and incredible flower garden I’ve ever seen (of course, we were in Dubai!) Unfortunately, we didn’t see much of the gardens and flowers because by this point the boys were hot and tired so we didn’t stay long.

We made our way back to Atlantis the Palm in time for a long nap.

That evening we were taking a walk around the hotel grounds and we saw they were setting up a big cinema screen on the beach with huge beach bean bags. We hung around and realised it was a family film so we dived onto a bean bag, ordered some popcorn and snuggled up under some warm towels to watch Moana.

It was absolutely magical to be snuggled together under a palm tree, hearing the waves in the distance with the iconic hotel behind us and twinkling lights all around. It was the first time we’ve sat and watched a film all together so it was lovely. Joseph jumped up from our beanbag from time to time to have a little dance (that film has catchy songs!) and then crawled back under a towel to enjoy the film.

It was another reason why family holidays to Dubai are so great, they seem to think of everything and cater to every member of the family. Kids aren’t an afterthought here, kids are the reason people come!

Day 8 – Leaving day

It was with heavy hearts we packed our bags to leave Dubai .

On family holidays like this I’m usually ready to go home after a week away. I love travelling but I also love being at home and I feel ready to leave. But oh no, not this time. I could have happily stayed for another week in Dubai and we were all genuinely gutted to be going home.

Our flight home was as easy as the one out but it wasn’t nearly as exciting.

Overall thoughts about family holidays to Dubai

I can’t recommend Dubai enough for families. The activities and resorts were brilliant and there was so much to do for everyone. I think Dubai is best for families in the UK looking for winter sun because you’re almost guaranteed gorgeous weather and it isn’t too far to travel.

The Canary Islands are usually a firm favourite for family winter sun holidays but they aren’t nearly as glam as Dubai!

I really enjoyed staying at two different resorts. It made the holiday feel much longer and was exciting to explore somewhere new half way through the trip. I know it seems like an effort but it’s definitely something we’ll be doing again.

Pin this for later ->

Emirates Holidays

This holiday was in partnership with Emirates Holidays who, as you can probably tell from this post, were incredible. I had a few ideas about what I wanted to do but they had so many family friendly suggestions. Emirates Holidays are the specialists so they’re great at creating personalised itineraries to meet your individual needs – whether that’s a family trip, a romantic escape, an adventurous, privately guided holiday (dreams!) then they’re fabulously for helping you plan your trip. They’re experts in Dubai, Indian Ocean and South East Asia and South Africa – basically, all the places I want to go!

If you’re wondering what to pack for Dubai then I’ve got a Dubai packing guide here!

Thursday 2nd of May 2024

Absolutely agree, Monica! 

What an amazing guide for family holidays in Dubai! My family and I can't wait for our 2-day stay in Dubai this summer. Can't wait to slouch over cushions and watch the sealife—it's going to be so much fun!

Wednesday 22nd of May 2019

Sounds like a perfect trip. Which month did you go? We are planning to go in Oct and not sure whether weather will be too hot to do some of the outdoors activities in your blog.

TheTravelHack

We went in March so I think October will be similar or just slightly hotter. To be honest, the only thing that was too hot was an open top bus tour! We already knew it was a bad idea but we were with a film crew who wanted to get some shots on the bus so went 2-3 stops and got off again! I think October would be a really nice time to go.

Hanif shaikh

Monday 25th of March 2019

Thanks monica. really awesome guide for family Holiday plan in dubai. Some other place is also option. But this one is best for family tour enjoy.

Thursday 7th of March 2019

This is amazing! the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah is the best option. there are no other places to enjoy the family vacation than in Dubai.

Angharad Paull

Monday 20th of August 2018

Currently stuck on ideas for where to spend October half term (it's our first holiday restricted to term times), but then I remembered your Dubai post! I've just been reading through, transfixed - this is EXACTLY what I want and where I want to go! Off to do some flight research now!

Ameera Bousaid

Wednesday 27th of February 2019

Hi Paull! If you are looking for a great place to stay in UAE with beautiful views, relaxing private pools and huge villas, it's definitely Al Habtoor Polo Resort. My stay in there is really unforgettable. I was lucky enough to booked me and my whole family a 4 bedroom villas just for AED 2500 on weekdays.

The Ultimate Dubai Trip Planner – 1-Day, 3-Day & 5-Day Dubai Itineraries

Things to do in Dubai Dubai Travel Guide Dubai Itineraries

Once a small fishing village in the Middle East, Dubai has grown tremendously over the years and has become the world’s most luxurious vacation spot. Every year, millions of tourists visit this city from all over the world to experience its rich heritage. From sandy beaches to stunning desert dunes, to the world’s largest structures, this city has it all. Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or your partner, you will easily find the right things to do in Dubai. In this Dubai trip planner, you will learn when to visit Dubai, how to get around here, the best day trips from Dubai and more to plan your epic vacation here.

Best Time To Visit Dubai

Dubai is warm throughout the year but the winter season (November - March) is the coolest time to visit. The average temperature ranges between 13° and 30°, making it a pleasant time to explore the city. However, this also means that it is the peak season for visitors and everything from flights to accommodation costs is high at this time.

If you are planning to spend most of the time on the beach, then avoid going between January and March as it is the rainy season in Dubai.

For those who hate the heat, it is recommended that they avoid July and August. Although rainfall is unlikely at this time, it tends to be really hot and humid. But you can always get amazing deals and discounts if you choose to visit Dubai in the summers. Read more about the best time to visit Dubai .

Dubai Itineraries

Depending on how long you're in Dubai for - whether it's just a day or 5 days, we have the perfect itineraries crafted for you. Go through these Dubai itineraries and plan your stay well in advance!

If this is your first time traveling to Dubai, you could use some help planning your daily itineraries. Apart from the basic planning (flight tickets, visa, accommodation in Dubai, etc.), you'll need to consider your day-to-day activities in Dubai - where to go, what to see, how to get there, and more. But fret not, for we are here to help.

1-Day Dubai Itinerary

The View at The Palm

Flyboarding

Bastakiya Quarter

Dubai Creek Abra Ride

Burj Khalifa

Dubai Fountain

Read In Detail: A Comprehensive 1-Day Dubai Itinerary

Top 20 Instagrammable Places in Dubai

3-day dubai itinerary.

Desert Safari

Aquaventure Waterpark

Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise

Hot Air Ballooning

Read In Detail: A Comprehensive 3-Day Dubai Itinerary

5-Day Dubai Itinerary

Mall of Emirates

Ferrari World

Yas Waterworld

Read In Detail: A Comprehensive 5-Day Dubai Itinerary

Hacks To Buying Cheap Dubai Flight Tickets

Now that you've figured out the perfect time to visit Dubai and braved through the restrictions, it is time to look for flight tickets. Go through our 17 golden hacks for cheap flight tickets before scouring through the flight ticket websites. You'll be surprised how easy it is to save a pretty penny while booking flight tickets!

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Traveling involves a certain amount of uncertainty always. With the pandemic, this amount has only increased. Opting for travel insurance is not something many people have done (pre-pandemic), but post-pandemic, it is highly recommended that you opt for it. Choosing the right travel insurance plan gives you a safety net to prevent losses if things go downhill.

Travel insurance can be complex- how do you know what to choose? For this very reason, we can crafted a ultimate guide to choose travel insurance post-covid .

Packing For Dubai

Of course, when you are planning a trip to Dubai, you have to pack efficiently too. Now, what you pack depends a lot on the month you will be visiting the city but a few things remain constant. Don’t forget to pack a universal adaptor, photo ID, a camera, and comfortable shoes to walk in.

Apart from that, consider what activities you will be indulging in Dubai. For adventure activities such as skydiving, ziplining, etc., pack comfortable and appropriate fit clothes. For beaches, pack your favorite bikinis and shorts, and for visiting religious places, pack clothes that cover your shoulders and your legs.

Also, if you are visiting Dubai in the summers, then do carry loose, cotton clothes along with a hat and sunscreen.

Travel Packing Checklist

Where to stay in dubai.

One of the most important things to do when planning a trip to Dubai is research the place where you will be staying. One thing to keep in mind is that Dubai is big, so you might be close to a few destinations and quite far from some other popular attractions.

So, where do you stay? Well, this depends a lot on your itinerary and the places that you choose to visit in Dubai, not to mention your budget.

If you want to pamper yourself during your Dubai trip and are looking for both fun and entertainment, then Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence area is a good place to consider. This area has plenty of beach spots, restaurants, bars, and skyscrapers for you to enjoy. However, this is also the most expensive place to stay in Dubai.

If you are looking for cheap and budget-friendly accommodations, then check out Al Barsha or Old Dubai. Al Barsha is well-connected to the metro and close to both Downtown and Marina. The only caveat is that it is not close to the main attractions.

For those who wish to stay close to the main attractions, Downtown is one of the best places to stay in Dubai. You are in close proximity to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and other amazing skyscrapers and is home to several clubs and restaurants. There are both expensive and budget-friendly hotels available here but this place is a little far from the beach.

Want to experience the traditional culture of Dubai? Then choose to stay in Bur Dubai, the heart of Old City. Here, you won’t find fancy restaurants or bars but lots of buildings with traditional architecture, bazaars, narrow alleys, and more. Plus, this place offers the cheapest accommodation rates in Dubai.

Getting Around In Dubai

Getting around the city is not an issue at all because despite Dubai being huge, it offers a decent public transportation system for budget travelers. Dubai metro features 2 lines that connect around 49 stations and a metro train runs every 2-3 minutes. Another viable option is to take the Dubai buses that have 119 internal lines and cover over 80% of the city.

You can also use the Dubai trams that connect Dubai Marina to the Al Sufouh and Palm Jumeirah or the Dubai monorail. Taxi cabs are also easily available in the city but they are quite expensive.

For a traditional experience, you can use the Dubai Abras to cross the water creeks or the Dubai Ferry. All these public transportation options are managed by the RTA and can be availed using the NOL card.If you are planning to stay in Dubai for a couple of days, we recommend you get this travel card. It will not only help you get discounted prices on most of the transportation options but eliminate the need to buy tickets for every trip too.

Public Transportation in Dubai 101

Dubai travel tips & hacks.

Dubai is just about as touristy as it gets. A city rich with history and modernity, there's something for everybody here. Go through our guide and jot down some interesting travel tips that even the locals swear by. Learn how to navigate tourist traps in Dubai , how to save money on transport, food, and accommodation, and then some. Start making notes and use these tips before your trip to Dubai .

17 Dubai Travel Tips & Hacks

Ready to head out to dubai.

Check out the top things to do in Dubai & our comprehensive Dubai Travel Guide packed with itineraries, tours, culture trips, best hotels, restaurants and a lot more.

Here are a few more guides that should help you plan your visit.

FAQs: Dubai Trip Planner

Is dubai worth visiting.

Dubai is one of the most popular and luxurious destinations in the world. The city is home to sandy beaches, tall skyscrapers, beautiful parks, the world’s largest mall, and more. As a result, Dubai has something to offer to all kinds of travelers.

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

The best time to visit Dubai is in the winter season (November – March) when the weather is pleasant.

What are the best things to do in Dubai?

A few top things to do in Dubai are relaxing on the beaches, try skydiving, visiting the amusement parks, and so on.

What should you pack for Dubai?

Make sure to pack a universal adaptor, a hat, and sunscreen for your trip to Dubai.

How to get around Dubai?

You travel around Dubai by using the metro, buses, trams, monorail, abras, ferries, and taxis.

Where are the best place to stay in Dubai?

If you want luxurious stays, then stay near Marina or Palm Jumeirah. But if you want a budget-friendly stay then Al Barsha or Old City are the best areas to stay in Dubai.

What are the best hotels to stay at in Dubai?

Novotel Dubai Deira City Center, Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Dubai, Atlantis The Palm, ibis Dubai Mall of the Emirates, etc. are a few of the best hotels to stay in Dubai.

See more Dubai. Save more money.

Save AED 20 on your first booking with Headout when you use promo code 'GODUBAI' !

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Amulya Chintaluri

Amulya's love for travelling was a natural consequence of her moving around so much as a child. Throw in her love for writing into the mix, and there's no better way to spend her time. A person who collects hobbies like Infinity Stones, she loves reading, sketching, drawing, painting, dry pressing flowers, music, cooking, eating cake, watching TV and sleeping.

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Dubai Trip Planner

Top attractions in dubai.

Other notable attractions

Top searches in Dubai

Popular road trips from dubai, all road trips from dubai.

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Explore nearby places

• Umm Al Quwain
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All related maps of Dubai

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• Map of Al Jazirat Al Hamra
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• Map of Dibba Al Fujairah
• Map of Dibba Al Hisn
• Map of Fujairah
• Map of Khor Fakkan
• Map of Khorfakkan
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• Map of Abu Dhabi
• Map of Khasab
• Map of Bandar-e Lengeh
• Map of Sohar

Dubai throughout the year

• Dubai in January
• Dubai in February
• Dubai in March
• Dubai in April
• Dubai in May
• Dubai in June
• Dubai in July
• Dubai in August
• Dubai in September
• Dubai in October
• Dubai in November
• Dubai in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Dubai?

Get inspired for your trip to Dubai with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Dubai Itinerary
• 2-Day Dubai Itinerary
• 3-Day Dubai Itinerary
• 4-Day Dubai Itinerary
• 5-Day Dubai Itinerary

Q&A about Dubai

Weather in dubai, add places from guides with 1 click, collaborate with friends in real time, import flight and hotel reservations, expense tracking and splitting, checklists for anything, get personalized suggestions.

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One week in Dubai: The best 7 days itinerary

7 days in dubai: the best one week itinerary + where to stay.

You’re planning to spend one week in Dubai and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared for you this 7 days itinerary in Dubai.

During your trip, you will discover all must-see attractions of the city as well as (if you wish to!) Abu Dhabi , the capital of the United Arabs Emirates.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, how to spend 1 week in Dubai? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. The Dubai Explorer Pass

7 days in dubai: must-see attractions:, one last tip for a perfect 7-day stay in dubai, a. deira district, b. bur dubai, c. dubai museum, d. dubai frame, e. dubai garden glow, a. etihad museum, b. jumeirah mosque, d. dubai mall, e. dubai fountain show, f. burj khalifa, a. the walk and the beach, b. dubai marina, c. mall of the emirates, d. global village or “la perle show”, option 2: palm jumeirah + aquaventure park, day 4 – excursion to dubai desert, option 1: amusement parks, option 2 of day 5: discovering more places to visit in dubai, day 6: abu dhabi, day 7: the best things to do around dubai, where to stay in dubai, on week in dubai with your family, more ideas of things to do during your 7-day stay in dubai, map of your 7-day itinerary in dubai, flight prices to dubai, you’re traveling to dubai these articles will help you , how to avoid waiting in line (and save a lot of time) at dubai’s tourist attractions.

You know it: Dubai is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

The city of luxury and opulence welcomes more than 15 million tourists every year!

Everyone wants to discover its skyscrapers that have emerged from the desert in just a few years as well as all the amazing attractions and activities Dubai has to offer.

Unfortunately, this means huge waiting lines (and a lot of time wasted!) at all must-see attractions.

At the Burj Khalifa for example, if you don’t have your ticket, you often need to wait 1 or 2 hours to get it from the ticket office!

It’s as crowded as the Colosseum in Rome or the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona .

But don’t worry: I have 2 solutions that will allow you to save a lot of time during your one week trip to Dubai.

First option: In order to save time and money, you should buy the Dubai Explorer Pass.

With this pass, you will have access to 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions .

If you have already visited other cities with this kind of City Pass, you should note that the Dubai Pass works according to the number of activities, and not in terms of duration (no 24h/48h/72h limit, like most other City Pass).

And this is very convenient!

You can do the selected activities whenever you want during your 7 days itinerary in Dubai . The Dubai Explorer Pass is valid for 30 days after the first activation, so that gives you plenty of time 😉.

There are about 50 activities offered. Of course, all the most famous attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, the desert excursion and the Aquaventure park are included!

To book it, it’s very simple: you just need to click on the green button located a bit below and choose the number of activities (3/4/5/7), depending on your interests.

So it’s very important to think about how many activities you want to do in advance!

Quick tip: you only need to specify the number of activities you want, and not which activities you choose .

Once you have ordered your Dubai Explorer Pass, you will receive a confirmation email with a voucher . This voucher is actually the Dubai Explorer Pass.

You will need to print it or download it on your smartphone and present it at the entrance of the attractions.

The email also contains a lot of useful information to organize your visits to the attractions: Opening hours, directions … as well as if you need to book a time slot (for example, for the Burj Khalifa) or if you can go there when you want (Aquaventure Park, Dubai Aquarium …).

Here is a summary of the most popular attractions included in the Dubai Explorer Pass :

• Access to the 124th and 125th floor observation deck of the Burj Khalifa – time slot must be booked in advance
• Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
• Ticket for the Hop On Hop Off Bus
• Cruise in the Marina or in Dubai Creek
• Aquaventure Waterpark at the Atlantis Hotel
• Desert Excursion with Barbecue Dinner – Date must be booked in advance
• Motiongate Dubai
• Legoland Dubai
• IMG Worlds of Adventure.

The full list of activities offered is available here: Dubai Explorer Pass Activities.

To purchase your Dubai Explorer Pass , simply click on the following green button:

2. Skip-the-line tickets for Dubai’s tourist attractions

If you don’t want to buy the Dubai Explorer Pass to visit Dubai in 1 week , you can also buy skip-the-line tickets for each attraction separately.

For Dubai, it’s very simple: you can purchase skip the line tickets for all the best places to visit and activities.

Burj Khalifa, Xline Dubai (the largest urban zip line in the world) and the best excursions around Dubai can be booked online.

You can also book all your guided visits in advance .

If you book your tickets and activities through the links I give you in this guide , you will avoid a lot of unnecessary waiting and save money .

In Dubai, it’s cheaper to buy your tickets online than to buy them at the ticket office!

Here is the list of the best skip-the-line tickets for your one-week stay in Dubai:

To check prices and to book, simply click on the links below (you will also find them throughout the article):

• Guided tour of Old Dubai (Deira + Bur Dubai)
• Traditional Boat Cruise
• Luxury Cruise with Gourmet Dinner
• Dubai Frame
• Aquarium + Underwater Zoo
• Burj Khalifa
• Dubai Zipline
• Cruise in the Marina
• Mall of the Emirates
• “La Perle”, a spectacular show
• Aquaventure Waterpark
• Aquaventure + The Lost Chambers Aquarium
• Excursion to the desert
• Excursion to Abu Dhabi

If you want to book other activities in Dubai, you should always book on this reliable and safe website . You can find all official tickets here:

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!) , you should really book your accommodation.

As Dubai is one of the most touristic cities in the world , the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Dubai by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at  traveler’s favorite hotels in Dubai.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Dubai, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

Dubai in 1 week: the best itinerary

Let’s now start your 7-day Dubai itinerary.

For each day, I will tell you everything you need to know about the places you will visit + give you a map that will help you visualize the itinerary a bit better.

I’m assuming you will be staying in Dubai for a full week , and that you have bought the Dubai Explorer Pass or Skip-the-Line Tickets .

It’s the best way to save time and see as many tourist attractions as possible during your one week stay!

If you still have questions after reading this guide (or need help organizing your holiday), don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located at the very end of this article.

So, what are the best places to visit in Dubai in 7 days?

Day 1 – Old Dubai

Day 1 visits:

A. Deira district B. Bur Dubai C. Dubai Museum D. Dubai Frame E. Dubai Garden Glow

Your one-week itinerary in Dubai starts in Old Dubai , the oldest part of the city.

Here, far from the skyscrapers of the city center, you will discover the typical atmosphere of the Middle East .

First you should take a walk through Deira district to discover several souks :

• The gold souk with its dazzling shops filled with imposing jewels
• The perfume souk and its oriental fragrances
• The spice souk , where you can find curry, chili, saffron…

The best way to discover Deira is for sure to opt for a guided tour. Your (awesome) tour guide will tell you everything about old Dubai and the local way of life.

And if you want to purchase souvenirs during this 3 hours tour, he can also help you to negotiate prices when shopping in the souks.

Book your guided tour of Old Dubai by clicking on the green button below:

*This guided tour of Deira and Bur Dubai includes everything from section A to C of this first day itinerary.

To get to Deira , take the metro to Al Ras station .

It’s best to start your one week itinerary by Old Dubai for a simple reason: it’s the best place in the city to change money! The exchange rates are better in the old town than at the airport or in the malls.

In Dubia, Friday is a holy day (like Sunday in Europe). Shops are usually closed in the morning and don’t open until late afternoon.

Bur Dubai is the second district you should visit in Old Dubai.

To get there from Deira , it’s very easy: you just need to cross the river! Simply take an abra (a small traditional boat) for 1 AED per person and you will reach Bur Dubai in a few minutes.

Here are the best places to visit in Bur Dubai:

• Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s house: documents about the city’s history are kept here. Not really a must see, but it’s a very pleasant place for a short walk.
• The Old Souk, where you will find souvenirs of all kinds: magnets, plushies, bags. You will need to negotiate if you don’t want to pay the tourist price!
• Hindi Lane and Meena Bazaar: An Indian area with beautiful fabrics and traditional Indian restaurants. A great place to eat real Indian food for cheap!
• Sheikh Mohamed Cultural Center: Every day, lunches are organized in a traditional house with an inhabitant of Dubai. Reservations are mandatory. Click here.
• Al-Seef Market : nice place to stroll and see traditional houses replicas, with restaurants and shops.

As Bur Dubai is located next to the river, you can go an a dinner cruise at Dubai Creek . This popular activity allows you to enjoy a boat ride on the river and discover the city from another angle.

This boat trip is offered in 2 versions (click on the orange links for more details):

• A traditional boat cruise + Buffet dinner + Demonstration of local folk dances
• A luxury cruise with gourmet dinner .

A cruise is included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

Visiting Dubai Museum is the best way to learn more about the history of the city!

The museum traces the entire history of Dubai , from the first tribes who lived there through the economic boom in the 1960s, to the future plans for the coming years.

The museum is very interesting and allows you do get a good grasp of how the city looked like before its impressive development.

With an entry fee of ony 3 AED, this museum is one of the cheapest visits you can do during your 7 days itinerary in Dubai.

*Please note that the museum is closed on Friday mornings.

During your one week trip to Dubai, you will also want to discover the modern part of the city.

And there is no better way to start than going to a brand new attraction: the already famous Dubai Frame!

You are now immersed in a whole different world, far away from the atmosphere of Old Dubai.

You can climb to the top of this 150-meter high structure in the shape of a giant photo frame and enjoy a magnificent panoramic view over the 2 completely different parts of Dubai : Old Dubai on one side and Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa) on the other.

Up there, a part of the floor is made of glass: it’s very impressive!

The Dubai Frame quickly became a very popular tourist attraction and the waiting line at the ticket office is often very long .

As it’s not included in the Dubai Explorer Pass, you should really buy your ticket online in advance .

You need to book your ticket by clicking on the green button below:

To go to the Dubai Frame from old Dubai, you have 2 options:

• Take the metro at Al Fahidi station and get off at Al Jafiliya station .
• Take a taxi , as the Dubai Frame is located only 5 km from the museum. It’s cheap and the taxi will drop you off closer.

At the end of this first day, you should visit the Dubai Garden Glow , a park featuring hundreds of sculptures coming to life every evening during light shows with musical backgrounds .

If you’re spending these 7 days in Dubai with your family, you can be sure that everyone will love that visit!

The entrance ticket for Dubai Garden Glow costs 65 AED and also includes entrance to the dinosaur park located in the same area.

Some of the dinosaurs move and growl when you walk close to them, kids really love it!

You should start your visit to the Dinosaur Park a bit before sunset and visit the Dubai Garden Glow at nightfall .

Dubai Garden glow is open from 4pm to 11pm.

In addition, you can also visit the following parks (you can choose at the ticket office):

• Magic Park (30 AED): there, you can take funny pictures based on optical illusions in a 3D decor.
• Ice Park for (45 AED): a bit too expensive in my opinion for a few ice sculptures.

Day 2: Tourist attractions and activities in Dubai

Day 2 visits:

A. Etihad Museum B. Jumeirah Mosque C. La Mer D. Dubai Mall E. Dubai Fountain Show F. Burj Khalifa

Let’s start the 2nd day of your one week trip to Dubai with a visit to the Etihad Museum .

This museum is dedicated to the creation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, during the Declaration of the union.

Testimonies, films and interactive terminals explain the creation of the Declaration of the Union and allow you to learn more about the 7 Sheikhs who signed the treaty.

The Etihad Museum perfectly complements Dubai Museum: by visiting both, you will get a global vision of the country .

Plan about 1 hour for your visit . The entrance ticket costs 25 AED.

To get to the Etihad Museum, take the subway to the World Trade Center station and then a taxi.

Another great way to discover a bit more of the Emirates culture is to visit Jumeirah Mosque .

It’s the only Mosque in Dubai that is open to non-Muslims.

To get inside, you will need to take a guided tour. Your guide will tell you more about the 5 pillars of Islam and the prayer ritual .

These tours take place, every day except Fridays (holy day in Dubai) around 10am and 2pm. They last about 1h15 .

To enter the mosque, ladies will need to c over their hair and everyone has to cover their legs and shoulders. Shorts and sleeveless T-shirts aren’t allowed.

Jumeirah Mosque is located 10 minutes on foot from the Etihad Museum and on the way to the next stop of this itinerary. So even if you don’t want to take the tour, you can at least admire its architecture as you walk by .

If you want to join the tour , it’s better to visit the mosque first and then go to Etihad Museum, as the latter doesn’t open until 10am.

Given the short distance between the two attractions, it doesn’t change the program for the rest of the day.

After the mosque, head towards the sea and take the waterfront promenade called “La Mer” , a place with plenty of restaurants and cafes.

It’s a great place to have a drink or lunch!

You can also go to one of the beaches or to a Water park (click here to book discounted entrance tickets) with a swimming pool and slides. It’s perfect for families!

From La Mer, you will have a great view over the entire skyline of Dubai and its landmark, the Burj Khalifa.

Now it’s time to take a taxi again and head to Dubai Mall (5km) .

This is one of the major attractions in the city , so you really need to go there during your week in Dubai!

With almost 1200 stores, this huge mall is actually the most visited in the world! No doubt that you will find something that suits your taste and budget.

If you want to know if your favorite shop is there, you can have a look at the shops map on the official website.

In addition to the shops and restaurants, you will also find a go-kart track, an ice skating rink , and the very popular aquarium and underwater zoo .

Here you can see sharks, rays, fish from all over the world and one of the largest living crocodiles in the world , “King Croc”

As always in Dubai, in order to avoid waiting at the ticket office and to save money, you should buy your tickets online in advance .

There are 2 types of tickets for the aquarium (click on the links to book):

• The classic Aquarium + Underwater Zoo ticket
• A combined ticket Aquarium + Underwater + Burj Khalifa – Certainly the most interesting for you , as you will go to the Burj Khalifa at the end of the day. A great way to save money!

The aquarium and underwater zoo is included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

In the Dubai Mall (and in general in he city), you must wear decent clothes : legs and shoulders must be covered. Signs of affection such as kissing or holding hands are not allowed.

At the end of the day, head to the man-made lake outside the mall to watch the Dubai Fountain Show .

There is a show every 30 minutes, from 6pm to 11pm. As it’s super touristy, try to get there early , else with all the crowd, you won’t see much!

You can also watch the show directly from the lake , from an abra (a traditional boat). This is a good solution to avoid the crowds and get a great view of the fountains.

You need to book it by clicking on the button below:

To have a the best view over the fountains, you should go to one of the 2 terraces of the Apple Store in Dubai Mall. Get there really in advance, as it’s the best place to enjoy the show!

To end this second day in style, let’s go to the Burj Khalifa!

It’s indeed the most famous thing to do in the city , you can’t miss it if you spend a week in Dubai.

You’ve surely photographed the Burj Khalifa from all angles during the day. So now take the elevator and reach the 124th floor and the 125th floor of the world’s tallest skyscraper.

In the evening, when all the skyscrapers are lit up, the view is simply breathtaking .

It really makes you feel the height of the buildings and the craziness of this city.

And that’s not all, you can go even higher! The highest observation deck in the world, 555 meters above the ground, is located on the 148th floor .

As going to the Burj Khalifa is clearly the number 1 thing to do for anyone going to Dubai, there is always a long waiting line there.

It’s therefore imperative to buy your ticket in advance on the internet . You’ll avoid the queue at the ticket office and it’s cheaper!

Various ticket combinations are available (click on the orange links for information and to book):

• Ticket At The Top Burj Khalifa – Access to the 124th and 125th floors.
• VIP At The Top Sky ticket – Access to the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa + 124th and 125th floor + Fast track for the security check and elevator
• Ascent to the 124th floor + dinner at the Burj Club restaurant.

If you want to visit the Aquarium and Burj Khalifa , you should rather buy this combined ticket:

Access to Burj Khalifa is included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

To get to the Burj Khalifa , go to the LG level of Dubai Mall and then follow the signs “At The Top Burj Khalifa .”

Day 3 – what to do in Dubai?

For the third day of your one week itinerary in Dubai , you can choose between 2 options:

Option 1: Dubai Marina

Day 3 visits:

A. The Walk and The Beach B. Dubai Marina C. Mall of the Emirates D. Global Village or “La Perle” Show

Start your day with a stroll at The Walk, a seafront promenade with many chic boutiques and restaurants .

From there, you also have access to The Beach, a public beach . You can thus go for a swim or try one of the water sports!

From the beach, you can get a glimpse of one of Dubai’s future attractions: Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.

To reach The Walk and The Beach, take the metro to DAMAC station and then the tram to Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).

After the Walk, you can head to Dubai Marina , a few minutes away on foot.

Here you can admire the yachts in the harbor or, even better, take a luxury cruise!

This 2-3h cruise allows you to discover Dubai from a new perspective and even pass by the famous Atlantis Hotel, known for its distinctive architecture. Lunch (barbecue) is included.

This luxury boat tour departs several times a day during high season.

To book your luxury yacht cruise in Dubai, you need to click on the button below:

This luxury cruise is also included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

In Dubai Marina district , you can also do a bit of shopping at Dubai Marina Mall .

During your visit to Dubai Marina, you should really try the X-Line Dubai, the highest urban zipline in the world !

You start 170 meters above the ground, from the roof of a building and fly over the Marina. A truly unique and incredible activity , you will love it for sure!

Of course, the photos and videos of your experience are included in the price: A great memory of your flight amidst the skyscrapers in Dubai!

Y ou want to experience something extraordinary and unique in Dubai?

Then book this activity , you won’t regret it!

To book your zipline ride in Dubai, just click on the following button:

If the ticket isn’t available, you can also check on this other website (click here).

Now that you are back on solid ground (after the cruise or after the zipline 😋), you should now take the metro to the Mall of the Emirates.

If you didn’t had the time to do all the shopping you wanted yesterday at Dubai Mall, you can do it today at this other big shopping center.

And if you’re in the mood for something a bit more unusual , you’ve come to the right place too:

Here, you can ski!

Yes, you’ve read that right: You can race down a ski slope in Dubai.

At the Mall of the Emirates, there is Ski Dubai , an indoor artificial snow slope featuring chairlift and small wooden chalets to recreate a mountain atmosphere.

No need to bring your ski equipment or winter clothes, everything is provided with the entrance ticket.

Click here to book your ticket for Ski Dubai.

In the Mall of the Emirates, there is a children’s area on the top floor with lots of arcade games and a mini funfair .

To end your day , you will have 2 options :

1) Global Village

From the Mall of the Emirates , take bus 106 to get to Global Village . The 30 minutes bus ride costs 20 AED for the round trip .

Located outside the city, the Global Village features dozens of  different pavilions, each representing a nation.

You will thus find many countries of the world including Japan, Thailand , China, but also Europe and of course the Middle East .

The decorations are impressive , but that’s not all: in each pavilion, there are dozens of stalls where you can buy local products, clothes and other items of all kinds.

You need at least 3 hours to visit the Global Village. And maybe even longer if you want to try a bit of everything: there are many food stalls there!

Everything is super well done and well thought out, you will really like it.

Practical information for your visit :

• The Global Village is open daily, but only from 4pm , from early November to early April (Closed the rest of the year)
• The entrance ticket costs 15 AED
• As suggested in this itinerary, you should visit Global Village in the evening , the buildings are lit and it’s a lot more beautiful!
• Important: On Mondays, the entrance is reserved for women and families with children.

2) “La Perle” show in Dubai

The 2nd option for your evening is to stay in the city and attend “La Perle” show.

The most famous live show of Dubai welcomes many artists and acrobats: you will enjoy o utstanding performances in a beautiful decor!

There are only 2 performances per night, so be sure to book your tickets in advance by clicking the button below:

The closest subway station to the venue is Business Bay . For the 4 remaining kilometers to the venue, you should take a taxi .

For this 3rd day, instead of going to Dubai Marina and doing the activities I suggested, you have another option: spend the day on Palm Jumeirah island.

There, you can find the famous Atlantis Hotel and the Aquaventure Park, Dubai’s largest water park.

With its spectacular slides, I can assure you that you will have fun all day long!

Spending the day at Aquaventure Park during your one week trip to Dubai is also a great way to take a break from visits and do something different with your partner, friends or kids.

At the hotel, you can also do 2 other activities:

• Swim with the dolphins in a lagoon at Dolphin Bay. If you book this activity, you will also have access to Aquaventure Park for free on the same day.
• Visit The Lost Chambers Aquarium to see rays, sharks and other fishes. The aquarium is located on the ground floor of the Atlantis Hotel.

Tickets for these attractions must be booked by clicking on the links below:

• Aquaventure Waterpark 1 day ticket
• Visit to The Lost Chambers Aquarium
• Dolphin Bay – Meet the dolphins + Aquaventure Park

If you want to do both attractions, there is also a combined ticket Aquaventure + The Lost Chambers . You can buy it right here and save money :

* The Aquaventure Waterpark is included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

In the evening , after a quick stop at the hotel to change your clothes, you should attend “La Perle”show.

You will have the choice between the 19h30 or 22h00 performance , so you can take your time to enjoy the waterpark and still be able to go to La Perle.

You need to book the show here:

To get to the Atlantis Hotel and Aquaventure Park :

• First, take the subway to DAMAAC Properties station
• Then take the tram to Palm Jumeirah station
• Follow the signs to reach the monorail – 5 minutes on foot
• Take the monorail – The round trip ticket costs 30 AED. There is a monorail every 15 minutes between 9am and 10pm.

On the 4th day of your 7-day stay in Dubai, you will get out of the city and explore the desert .

The only way to get there is to book a day trip.

You will be picked up at your hotel and will start the day with a jeep tour in the dunes. The drivers will of course make sure to spice up the experience a bit, so hold on tight!

After the jeep tour, you will arrive at a Bedouin camp and enjoy other activities such as:

• Sandboarding in the sand dunes.
• Camel Riding
• falconry experience

At the end of the excursion you will have lunch or dinner (depending on the time) at the Bedouin camp in the middle of the desert. You can, during the meal, enjoy dance performances or get tattooed with henna.

To be sure that you are booking with a serious and reliable agency , you should book your desert tour in advance by clicking on the button below.

It’s clearly the best excursion into the desert: It’s so great that they will give you a full refund if you don’t enjoy your time!

And if you prefer a bit more action, you can opt for one of the 2 following tours:

• Excursion in the desert + Quad bike tour in the dunes
• Excursion in the desert + Buggy tour in the dunes

Both of them are really awesome, so choose the one that you prefer!

An excursion in the desert is included in the Dubai Explorer Pass .

You can also explore the desert by booking a hot air balloon tour.

During this VIP tour , you will enjoy the sunrise over the desert from the hot air balloon, a truly unforgettable spectacle!

To make it even more amazing, during the flight, expert falconers will put on a falconry show from the balloon.

And to end the morning in style, you will enjoy a gourmet breakfast with caviar, smoked salmon and other exceptional dishes.

This tour is super popular and the number of seats are very limited, so book it as soon as possible:

Day 5: Amusement parks and more places to visit in Dubai

For the 5th day of your 1 week itinerary in Dubai, you will have several choices: you can spend the day at one of the amusement parks or discover new areas of the city.

If you want to spend this day at an amusement park , you will have the choice between the 2 most famous of Dubai :

• The IMG Worlds of Adventure, the second biggest indoor amusement park in the world, with attractions dedicated to Marvel universe and cartoons. You can find information about rates and opening hours on the official website.
• Dubai Parks and Resorts: An leisure complex featuring several theme parks (Cinema, Lego, Bollywood) and a water park.

If you’re not a fan of amusement parks , you can rather visit the following attractions in Dubai:

Here are the places you should visit today :

• Dubai Miracle Garden, a big garden with several gigantic structures covered with no less than 150 million flowers! There is even a replica of an A380. The Miracle Garden is in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest natural flower garden in the world .
• Souk Madinat Jumeirah , offering a great view over the Burj Al Arab, one of the only 7* hotels in the world. You can go shopping there and enjoy one of the restaurants located on the waterfront.
• The Burj Al Arab: You can enter the hotel without staying there by booking a lunch, snack or dinner .

Here are the different formulas you can book:

• Snack and tea at the SkyView Bar on the 27th floor – Enjoy the view with pastries and cakes.
• Lunch or dinner at the Bab Al Yam, Restaurant on the ground floor of the Burj Al Arab with breathtaking views of the Persian Gulf.
• Access to the SkyView Bar + 2 complimentary drinks
• Lunch or dinner at Al Mahara aquarium restaurant – Enjoy the dishes of an award-winning chef in the middle of an aquarium: a unique experience!

Here is some practical information for your visit to Miracle Garden , as it’s located outside the city center:

• Open from November to May, from 9h to 21h/22h
• Take the Metro to Mall of the Emirates and then bus #105
• Entrance ticket is 55 AED.

During your one week trip to Dubai , you should also explore Abu Dhabi .

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is just an hour and a half away by car.

It’s thus perfect to go to Abu Dhabi for a day trip and return to your hotel in Dubai in the evening. To get there, you can rent a car ( click here to compare car rental prices), take the bus or opt for an organized excursion .

The latter is for sure the most convenient!

Depending on your interests, there are several possible sightseeing combinations . Feel free to click on the orange links for full details on the suggested visits:

• Great Mosque + La Corniche + Emirates Palace + Ethihad Towers + Marina Mall + Qasr Al Watan – My favorite to get a good overview of the city!
• Visit the Great Mosque and the Louvre Museum – This tour allows you to explore 2 of Abu Dhabi’s must-see attractions in one day.
• Abu Dhabi Mosque visit only (1/2 day)
• Morning excursion to the Mosque + afternoon at Ferrari World or Warner Bros .

If you don’t opt for the organized tour, you should read my detailed article about Abu Dhabi.

There, you will find all the information you need about the Abu Dhabi’s best places to visit such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Museum or Qasr Al Watan (the Presidential Palace).

You can read this guide here: The 17 best things to do in Abu Dhabi.

As there are many places to visit in Abu Dhabi, you can choose to spend 2 days/1 night there (you can find my selection of the best hotels of the city by clicking here. )

You will thus visit Abu Dhabi on the 7th and final day of your one week itinerary and then come back to Dubai in the evening.

Sadly, your 7-day stay in Dubai is already coming to an end. But the good news is that there’s still enough to explore to enjoy your last day to the fullest!

Near Dubai, you can for example visit Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site . This city is only 2 hours away from Dubai.

The easiest way to get there is for sure to book a guided organized tour by clicking on the button below:

If you don’t want to go to Al Ain, you can stay in Dubai and discover more places or enjoy amazing activities such as:

• Do the Canal Walk to admire the view over the skyscrapers and the Burj Khalifa . Canal cruises are also available, click here!
• Discover the skyscrapers of the financial district: the Jumeirah Emirates Tower, the Gate Building, the World Trade Center.
• Spend some relaxing time at the huge Creekside Park, located right on the waterfront.
• Experience a Helicopter Flight over Dubai ( click here ) or seaplane tour ( click there ).
• 5* Cruise with dinner in the bay of Deira
• Shopping, until you spend your last Dirham!

You can also have a look at Day 3 or Day 5 options I mentioned above, and choose an activity or visit you haven’t done yet!

Now that you know everything about the best things to do in Dubai in 7 days, there is just one thing left to do: Booking your hotel!

There are hundreds of hotels in Dubai, and choosing the best for your stay can be a bit complicated.

In order to help you out, I have selected for you the best hotels in Dubai for each district, depending on your budget. I have also made a special list of the most beautiful luxury hotels in Dubai.

As always, to get the best prices, you should book your hotel as early as possible!

The best hotels in Downtown Dubai (near the Burj Khalifa)

• DoubleTree of Hilton Dubai – Business Bay: Located 1.5 km from Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. Very spacious and comfortable room, well decorated and equipped from 110€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: free shuttle to the Dubai Mall, good breakfast, comfort, tranquility. This my favorite hotel in Dubai for its exceptional value for money!
• Rove Downtown: Only 600 meters from the Dubai Mall. Bright and clean double room with view on Burj Khalifa, from 150€, breakfast for 15€. Strong points: Access to the Dubai Mall on foot, helpful staff, free shuttle service to the beach, Dubai Museum or Madinat Souk.
• Taj Dubai: Located 800 meters from Burj Khalifa. Modern and luxurious room with bay window overlooking the city and marble bathroom starting at 220€ per night, breakfast at 32€. Strong points: The magnificent view from the roof, the Indian decoration, the large swimming pool. An excellent hotel in Dubai city center, perfect for a romantic stay!
• Palace Downtown: Located on the lake at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, this 5-star hotel offers magnificent rooms with balcony, with an exceptional view of the Burj Khalifa. From 380€ per night, breakfast at 39€. Strong points: the exceptional location, the beautiful surroundings, the very attentive and helpful staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Downtown Dubai!

The best hotels in old Dubai (Deira and Bur Dubai)

• Golden Sands Hotel Apartments : Located in Bur Dubai, 1.5 km from the Dubai Museum. Apartment equipped with kitchenette and washing machine, from 80€ per night, breakfast from 11€. Strong points: Cleanliness, the heated swimming pool, the comfortable apartments
• Swissôtel Al Ghurair Dubai: Located in Deira district. Warm and spacious room from 115€, breakfast at 27€. Strong points: the pleasant staff, the view, the good breakfast. It’s my favourite in Old Dubai for its excellent value for money!
• Hyatt Regency Creek Heights Residences: Located next to Creekside Park. Very spacious, super comfortable and very well equipped rooms starting at 130€ per night, breakfast at 33€. Strong points: 5 minutes walk from the metro, the warm welcome, the quiet location, the spa.
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek : 5* hotel located in Deira bay. Double room with balcony overlooking the bay from 150€, breakfast at 29€. Strong points: The proximity of the metro and the shops, the beautiful swimming pool, the comfortable bed and the amazing view. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Old Dubai!

Dubai’s best beach hotels

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach, Dubai: Located 300 meters from the beach. Rooms and apartments with sea view from 125€, breakfast at 27€. Strong points: The view, the comfortable beds, the location near the beach and the harbor.
• Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach – Dubai: Located along “The Walk”. Rooms with balcony overlooking the Gulf and Palm Jumeirah from 175€, breakfast at 24€. Strong points: the exceptional view, the proximity of the tram and metro, restaurants and shops at the foot of the hotel.
• Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach: Located 150 meters from the beach. Contemporary room with balcony and sea view from 230€, breakfast at 22€. Strong points: the infinity pool, the very good breakfast, the spa, the ideal location to enjoy the sea.
• Grosvenor House Hotel and Apartments: Located on the port promenade. Elegant and bright double room from 290€, breakfast at 42€. Strong points: Comfort, access to the private beach, the quality of the food.

The most beautiful luxury hotels in Dubai

• Atlantis The Palm, Dubai : One of the emblematic hotels of the city, located in Palm Jumeirah. Room from 300€, breakfast from 42€. Strong points: Includes access to Aquaventure Park and The Lost Chambers aquarium, private beach, swimming pools.
• Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites – Ultra All Inclusive: Also located in Palm Jumeirah, this luxury hotel offers all inclusive rooms (all meals included) from 452€. Strong points: the quality of the meals, the setting, the amazing rooms.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai: Located directly on the beach of JBR Walk. Elegantly furnished rooms with balcony and sea view from 500€ per night, breakfast at 39€. Strong points: 6 swimming pools, a private beach, the spa, the very helpful staff.
• Armani Hotel Dubai: Located in the Burj Khalifa Tower! Rooms decorated by the fashion designer Giorgio Armani, starting at 550€ per night, breakfast at 41€. Strong points: the privilege of sleeping in the Burj Khalifa, the refinement of the place, the view.
• Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah: Located in Palm Jumeirah. Luxury suite with living room and dining room starting at 750€, breakfast included. Strong points: The private beach, the huge swimming pool and the beautiful gardens.
• Burj Al Arab Jumeirah: THE luxury hotel, one of the rare 7* hotels in the world! The “smallest” suite is 170m² and prices start at 1290€, breakfast at 74€. I can assure you that your stay in Dubai will be truly exceptional and unforgettable!

You didn’t find your dream hotel in this selection?

You should thus have a look at my article about the best hotels in Dubai by clicking on the following link: Where to stay in Dubai?

You can easily do this suggested one week itinerary in Dubai with your kids.

You will mainly take the metro to move around and when it’s not possible, the taxis are cheap and very convenient.

You can go everywhere with a stroller and some places even have special visiting days, just for families with children.

Here are the best things to do in Dubai with your family:

• The Souks of Old Dubai, for the colors and the numerous souvenirs you can find for you and your family
• Dubai Garden Glow and its fantastic universe. Your kids will also love the dinosaur park located nearby
• Beaches (The Walk and The Beach / La Mer)
• The Aquarium and underwater zoo at the Dubai Mall.
• Dubai fountains sound and light show
• Visit the Burj Khalifa
• Aquaventure Park (1 day) at the Atlantis Hotel
• Global Village , a great overview of traditions from around the world in one place.
• Desert excursion , the teenagers will love it!
• Amusement parks like the IMG Worlds of Adventure or the Dubai Parks and Resorts
• Miracle Garden

To get even more information about the best places to visit in Dubai, you should also read my other article: The 30 best things to do in Dubai .

To help you visualize your daily itineraries during your 7 days in Dubai, I have created this map with all the places to visit day by day . You can view the legend of the map by clicking on the top left button, the one with a little arrow. You can thus see the suggested itineraries for each day.

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices.

To check the rates and schedules for flights to Dubai, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

Discover all my articles about Dubai : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Dubai are listed there.

• Dubai: The 30 best places to visit – All best things to do and activities!
• 2 days in Dubai – The perfect itinerary for 48h!
• 3 Days in Dubai – The best 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Dubai – The defitinive guide to plan your trip
• 5 Days in Dubai – How to spend 5 days in Dubai
• 1 Week in Dubai – The best itinerary to visit Dubai in 7 days!
• Burj Khalifa: The definitive guide to all tickets + Tips
• Dubai Aquarium: discover one of Dubai’s must see attraction
• Dubai Mall: How to plan your visit of this huge shopping center!
• Dubai Old Town: 10 best things to do
• Dubai Fountain Show: all my tips to enjoy it to the fullest!
• Palm Jumeirah: the 15 best things to do!
• TOP Activities in Dubai – The 30 best activities and excursions to do in Dubai!
• Dubai Zipline – Price, info and reservations for the best experience in town!
• The best desert safaris in Dubai – my 7 favorites! (4WD, quad, buggy and more)
• Where to stay in Dubai? The guide to the best hotels by district, for all budgets
• Dubai Pass: The best way to save time and money in Dubai!

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Discussion 12 comments.

Thank you. I would like to connect with you and plan my upcoming 7 nights trip to dubai.

You’re welcome. You can directly ask all your questions about your one week itinerary in Dubaï here. Thanks.

Hi . Dubai explorer pass has access to 124 and 125 floor of burj Khalifa or also 148 Floor also ????

With the Dubai Explorer Pass, you only have access to the 124th and 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa.

Enjoy your week in Dubai!

How can I book you for 7 days? I have a trip coming up in April.

I am not a travel agency. So I don’t take care of the reservations. However, you can easily book your activities, tours and hotels by clicking on the links in the article.

Have a great week in Dubai!

Hi, Very informative artical.

I woild like to know what all places will be colsed in june if you have that information.

Hello Ginni,

Thank you. I’m glad my itinerary for visiting Dubai in a week is helping you plan your visits.

In June, only the Global Village and the Dubai Miracle Garden will be closed. Everything else should be open.

That’s a great guide!

The desert tour that you recomend is only possible to book it independently or is it also included in the Pass? I mean the Premium one.

And also for the Yatch with dinner included is it possible to do it with the Pass or only booking it independently?

Many thanks for your help.

Hello Cristina,

Thank you! I’m glad my itinerary for visiting Dubai in a week has helped you organise your stay.

The Dubai Desert Tour is indeed one of the activities you can do with your Dubai Pass. It’s the same one you can book independently.

I’m not sure which dinner cruise you mean as there are several. But when it’s included in the pass, I always specify it in the article so it must be written.😊

Hello Vincent, The four of us in my family are planning a 7 days visit to Dubai. I have a documented disability of 66% and, although able to move around (no wheelchair needed), I always need a member of my family for supervision. My question is: do I have to buy the Explorer Pass or, as it happens in many other places, disabled people can access to attractions for free?

Hello Silvia,

I’ve had a look on the Internet and it’s not very clear.

Apparently there are only a few attractions that are free for disabled people like the Dubai Frame or the Miracle Garden. But these attractions are not included in the Explorer Pass. For the Burj Khalifa, for example, they don’t seem to offer free entry. There’s just one adult and one child ticket (no different ticket for disabled or older people, for example). Sorry I can’t be of more help.

I hope you’ll enjoy your family week in Dubai!

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Top neighborhoods to explore in Dubai

Mar 30, 2021 • 8 min read

Plan your time in each of Dubai's neighborhoods to make the most of your visit © Sergey Sokolnikov / Getty Images

Stretching through the desert sands, Dubai is a sprawling city, the largest in the United Arab Emirates. On a trip to Dubai, it pays to plan your time wisely so that you aren't packing too many far-flung sights and activities into a single day. Instead of trying to do it all, get to know Dubai's fascinating array of neighborhoods one at a time.

Here are the best neighborhoods to explore on your visit to Dubai .

Editor's note: During  COVID-19 , please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow  government health advice . Events may be subject to change.

Downtown Dubai

Best neighborhood for sightseeing.

Downtown Dubai is a key destination for visitors. Its literal pinnacle, the Burj Khalifa , overlooks the Dubai Mall , the world's biggest shopping temple. Downtown Dubai has most of the city's must-see sights and also teems with other crowd-pleasing attractions, including a massive aquarium, an ice rink and a complete dinosaur skeleton. The mall flanks the Burj Lake, where the mesmerizing Dubai Fountain erupts in nightly choreographed dance, music and light shows. Further south, Alserkal Avenue has evolved into the city's main alternative arts and creative hub.

Downtown Dubai has some of the city's hottest nightlife venues, with new spots coming online all the time. Shine your shoes, put on those vertiginous heels and bring the platinum credit card to get waved past the velvet rope. This neighborhood is also the purview of high-roller restaurants, with most of them located in the five-star hotels and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Staying in Downtown Dubai puts you smack dab in the city's vortex of vibrancy. Aside from the big international chains, you'll also find a few home-grown players imbued with a local sense of place. Downtown Dubai is an expensive area to stay in, and with few exceptions, you'll need to shell out top dirham.

13 best free things to do in Dubai

Dubai Marina

Best neighborhood for nightlife.

Dubai Marina has become one of the most popular places to live in town, and its pedestrian-friendly areas also hold plenty of appeal for visitors. Carved from the desert, this is one of the world's largest artificial marinas, centered on a long canal flanked by a thicket of futuristic high-rises, including the twisting Cayan Tower.

Although there are no conventional sights in this part of Dubai, the beach, the marina and the waterfront provide plenty of diversions. A stroll along the Marina Walk promenade is delightful, especially after dusk when you can gaze out at the glittering towers and bobbing yachts. Paralleling the beach are The Walk at JBR , a strip of shops and family-oriented eateries, and The Beach at JBR , a chic open-air mall fronting a lovely sandy beach with great infrastructure.

Dubai Marina is dominated by sprawling beach resorts, each flaunting several top-end restaurants, bars and nightclubs. But you'll also find excellent eats away from the hotels, especially along the Marina Walk, The Walk at JBR and The Beach at JBR. Because of its compact nature, the area is conducive to hopping from one place to the next by foot. Dubai Marina is a great area for going out at night, especially if you're in the mood for chilling by the beach, whether with cocktails or shisha. A number of beach clubs deliver day-to-night action, and there are even a couple of alternative dance venues.

The best time to go to Dubai

Best neighborhood for beaches

The emirate’s answer to Bondi or Malibu, Jumeirah stretches from the Etihad Museum to the Burj Al Arab . Hemmed in by the turquoise waters of the Gulf, Jumeirah translates as "the beautiful" and is practically synonymous with beaches, most famously Kite Beach . Life in Jumeirah revolves around the beaches, which have been upgraded enormously in recent years and now offer the gamut of activities, from swimming and surfing to beach volleyball and jogging.

Jumeirah is largely a residential area, dominated by low-rise apartment buildings and white-washed villas. Although an older part of town, Jumeirah has of late been injected with pockets of urban cool by a number of new lifestyle malls, including BoxPark and Galleria . While the City Walk development has created a fashionable, cosmopolitan neighborhood (check out the street art), indie boutiques and the Italian-style Mercato Shopping Mall still make up the lure of Jumeirah Road.

The biggest change to reshaping Jumeirah is the Dubai Canal, which links Dubai Creek with the Gulf. New construction along both banks and around the canal's mouth, as well as actually in the water (a floating restaurant and yacht club have been proposed), promise to keep things dynamic in the area for many years to come. An evening stroll along the Dubai Canal promenade is especially recommended to view the dramatic, motion-operated waterfall along with a stunning skyline.

Jumeirah has some of the best eating in town, with a wonderful variety of restaurants, from ethnic street bites on 2nd December St and urban bistros at BoxPark or City Walk to humble fish shacks on the waterfront and top-dirham dining shrines at the Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah . Aside from the bars in and around Madinat Jumeirah and in a smattering of Western-style hotels, few places in Jumeirah serve alcohol.

Luxury lovers should steer towards the Burj Al Arab or the hotels at Madinat Jumeirah. The cluster of midrange hotels and hotel-apartments next to the Mall of Emirates offer great value for money. However, many hotels in this area are a taxi ride from the nearest Dubai Metro station.

Top 7 beaches in Dubai

Best neighborhood for budget travelers

Bur Dubai may not be as sleek and sophisticated as the newer parts of town, but its animated street life exudes a sense of community spirit that is rarely found elsewhere. Although Bur Dubai stretches from Dubai Creek to the World Trade Centre at the beginning of Sheikh Zayed Road, the neighborhood's most intriguing area is a conveniently compact section hugging the Creek. Come here to soak up the city's history in the Dubai Museum and peek into the past in the restored Al Fahidi Historic District and Shindagha Historic District , which will soon be home to the world's largest open-air museum. Pass through the atmospheric Bur Dubai Souq along the way, which offers wallet-friendly shopping for souvenirs, textiles and knock-off handbags.

Bur Dubai is heaven for ethnic eats, with oodles of tiny, low-frills cafes catering to homesick expats from Kerala to Kathmandu with superb and authentic street food. The tangle of narrow lanes around the market brims with local eateries feeding expats from Nepal, India and Pakistan with authentic fare from their homelands. Stock up on souvenirs and then watch the boat traffic on Dubai Creek from a waterfront cafe in the re-energized Al Seef area.

Bur Dubai is one of the cheapest areas to stay in Dubai, and it's home to heritage B&Bs, the city's oldest hotel, modern budget and midrange chains and plenty of hotel apartments in the Mankhool area near the BurJuman mall. Away from the Creek, Bur Dubai becomes rather nondescript.

16 best cheap things to do in Dubai

Best neighborhood for shopping

Deira  feels like a cross between Cairo and Karachi. Dusty, crowded and chaotic, Deira is one of Dubai's oldest and most charismatic neighborhoods and a world away from modern Dubai. Along Dubai Creek, colorful wooden dhows (traditional cargo boats) engage in the time-tested trading of goods destined for Iran, Sudan and other locales. Nearby, the bustling souqs (markets) are atmospheric ancestors of today’s malls, where you can sip sugary tea and haggle for bargains with traders whose families have tended the same shop for generations. 

The main sights of Deira are all within easy walking distance of each other around the atmospheric mouth of Dubai Creek, but it's the siren song of the souqs that lures shoppers to to this area. Stock up on spices, gold, perfume and souvenirs of all sorts, all sold at bargain prices (provided you bargain).

Deira is also Dubai's most dazzlingly multicultural neighborhood, reflected by the restaurants that are perfect for soaking up the local color and sampling authentic fare from such far-flung locales as India, Syria, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Deira is close to the airport and therefore popular with visitors on stopovers. There are plenty of older, smaller, budget places in and around the souqs, although they range in quality. More upmarket properties can be found along Dubai Creek as far south as Dubai Festival City.

Palm Jumeirah

Best neighborhood for families.

Jutting into the Gulf is Palm Jumeirah, an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree and home to glittering resorts, as well as the Aquaventure Waterpark , now the largest in the world . Built to increase Dubai's beachfront real estate, Palm Jumeirah is home to luxury apartments, villas and hotels. It's punctuated by the iconic pink and hugely popular Atlantis The Palm resort . Further south lie the family-friendly theme parks of Dubai Parks & Resorts. 

The monorail to Palm Jumeirah is an entertaining trip, but be warned that the resorts on Palm Jumeirah are a long way from anywhere.

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Dubai, the largest and most populous city in the UAE , is the embodiment of dreams turning into reality and the favourite destination for many travellers. Synonymous with tall ultramodern skyscrapers juxtaposed with charming heritage, Dubai appeals to the traveller’s senses. From luxury shopping to imposing desert landscapes, from world famous restaurants and hotels to theme parks with the most thrilling rides, a Dubai trip has something to suit every kind of traveller. Whether you are looking for a Dubai honeymoon package, a family holiday or a quick getaway with friends, the various Dubai attractions will be sure to leave you spellbound.

Geographically, Dubai is located in the Middle East on the south-east coast of the Persian Gulf. It is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven that make up the United Arab Emirates. The currency of  Dubai is UAE Dihram - AED. This global city is a major aviation and financial hub. Dubai has gradually transitioned into a global icon of engineering and construction with the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa marking the skyline of the city. Dubai tourism is greatly promoted by the government; its ancient and modern attractions never fail to lure in tourists all around the year.    

Best time to visit Dubai

Dubai weather is classified into hot and hotter with dry desert winds. If you are planning a Dubai trip, it is best to avoid the dry and hotter months of April to September. The best time to visit Dubai is during the winter months of November to March, Dubai weather in november when the skies above are clear blue and the beach below sports wonderful weather. Sun seekers and beach lovers can enjoy the sunny side of Dubai winters, while the shoppers will love the Dubai Shopping Festival that is usually held from December to February.

Expect some rainfall from January to March, which is a part of the Dubai climate for these months. During the summer months of April to October, you can escape the crowds and also find a hotel room with ease. Dubai hotels will be relatively cheap in these months, since this is the summer season, although everywhere indoors will be comfortably air-conditioned. If you are looking for cheap Dubai tour packages, just book the best Dubai holiday packages that MakeMyTrip rolls out for this off-season period for Dubai tourism.

How to reach Dubai

The best way to reach Dubai is via flight. Flights to Dubai link the Emirate with over 200 world destinations. You can land directly at the Dubai International Airport, the largest airport in the UAE and one of the busiest airports in the world. Another way to reach Dubai by air is via the Sharjah International Airport and transfer to Dubai by road on a taxi or bus service.

If you are travelling to Dubai from one of the other cities of the Emirates, you can use the Emirates Express bus services to Dubai. These buses connect Dubai with Sharjah, Abu Dhabi etc.

If you have booked your Dubai trip from India, then you can fly to Dubai from any of the major Indian cities. Flights to Dubai from India are operated by multiple airlines like Emirates, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet, Indigo and Fly Dubai among others. Air Arabia operates flights from India to Sharjah. A non-stop Delhi to Dubai flight can be booked on SpiceJet, Indigo, Fly Dubai, Air India, Air India Express, Emirates and Hahn Air, while direct flights to Dubai from Bangalore are operated by Indigo and Emirates. Similarly, non-stop flights to Dubai from Mumbai are available on nearly all airlines – SpiceJet, Indigo, Fly Dubai, Air India, Air India Express, Emirates, and Hahn Air.  All the major Indian cities are similarly connected to Dubai through these hubs.

With so many flights to Dubai from India, booking Dubai holiday packages from India is as simple as logging on to the MakeMyTrip website! Browse MakeMyTrip to explore the best of Dubai’s tourist places and book from a range of Dubai trip packages. If you are on your honeymoon, there is a ready selection of Dubai honeymoon packages with the best hotels and inclusions picked for you.

Plan your Dubai getaway with MakeMyTrip! Easily convert AED to INR for our holiday packages. Explore UAE hassle-free with our convenient currency conversion feature. Book now and embark on your dream trip!

Places to visit in Dubai

Dubai is like a glittering oasis in a desert landscape. When you are approaching by road, the towering Burj Khalifa pierces the skyline, slowly guiding you into the city. As you approach Dubai via air, a shimmering display of the glass buildings towering up from the ground below will take your breath away. Enjoy the visual delights as the top Dubai attractions come into sight as your plane eases in for the airport. The Burj Khalifa stands tall like a giant obelisk, while the Burj Al Arab further away resembles a masted ship ready to set off to sail. The artificially reclaimed lands of Dubai Palm Islands and the World Islands will leave you awed.  

To allow you to make the most of your Dubai trip, here is our recommended list of unmissable places to visit in Dubai

• Burj Khalifa

We recommend that you start your Dubai tour with the tallest free-standing man-made structure at 828m high, the Burj Khalifa. You can visit this marvel of engineering either during the day, or wait till evening for its light shows to begin. Take the world’s fastest double-deck elevators to go up to the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck on Level 124 or right up till Level 148 to discover Dubai with a stunning overview of the cityscape. The Burj Khalifa observation deck is the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. This is by far the leader amongst all Dubai attractions, popular with travellers of all kinds.

Located very close to the Burj Khalifa , the Dubai Mall is one of the most popular places to visit in Dubai. This is the second-largest shopping mall in the world by total land area, and is also the home of the famous Dubai Shopping Festival. Apart from being able to spend hours shopping for every conceivable brand in over 1200 stores, shoppers can also spend time here at an ice skating rink, a cinema theatre, a theme park, aquarium and more.

Dubai Aquarium

Located within the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium is a commonly included part of a Dubai city tour especially for families. The world’s largest suspended aquarium, it holds over 140 species of aquatic animals including rays and sharks. Walk through the 48m long tunnel that will give you a stroll beneath the largest collection of sand tiger sharks in the world. With over 33,000 aquatic animals, sand tiger sharks and sting rays swimming above you, the view will simply astound you. Visitors can also visit the Underwater Zoo on a higher level in the same mall, where in three different ecosystems, a variety of creatures like Piranha, Penguin, Otters, African Crocodile, and Lionfish etc. This is one of the Dubai tourist places that is likely to appeal to all members of the family.

Ferrari World

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a theme park located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, a short drive away from Dubai. A visit to Ferrari World is high up on the list of many travellers booking Dubai holidays. You can book this activity as a part of your Dubai package from MakeMyTrip. Visitors can enjoy the range of 37 rides and shows at Ferrari World, including the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa. There are plenty of things for young kids to do at Ferrari World too, in areas like the Adventureland and the Car Wash. 

Dubai Frame 

The latest amongst the list of Dubai tourist places is the Dubai Frame, located within the Zabeel Park. This monument is shaped like a giant ornate picture frame, and provides an insight into the past, present and future idea of Dubai. While the Old Dubai gallery shares information about Dubai’s past through interactive displays and 3D technology, at the Sky Deck level the present Dubai view is shown through a panoramic viewing gallery enhanced by various augmented reality effects. The Future Dubai gallery uses a combination of specially produced audio and video effects to create an image of a possible future Dubai. The entire visit is quite a unique experience.

Dubai Parks and Resorts

Dubai Parks and Resorts is the largest integrated theme park and leisure destination within the Middle East. This is fast becoming an essential inclusion for Dubai packages, especially if you are travelling to Dubai with family. The various theme parks here include - Motiongate Dubai , a Hollywood-themed amusement park; Bollywood Parks Dubai , which is the world’s first Bollywood-themed park and has 5 different zones; Legoland with its Lego-themed rides, shows and attractions perfect for families with younger children; and the Legoland Waterpark which is the world’s only waterpark designed especially for children aged 2 to 12 year old and their families. A visit to Motiongate Dubai or any of the other parks within Dubai Parks and Resorts can be pre-arranged as a part of MakeMyTrip’s Dubai holiday packages.

Atlantis the Palm - Aquaventure & Lost Chambers 

Atlantis the Palm is a luxury hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and undoubtedly one of the most coveted places in Dubai to stay in. While this luxury Dubai hotel would be a bucket list place to stay for many, even if you are not staying at the Atlantis Dubai you can spend time here at the Atlantis waterpark. The Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark offers over 30 thrilling water slides and attractions, interconnected river rides, cownose ray feeding, underwater adventures, splash zones for younger children. The waterpark even has a private beach for the benefit of visitors. You can combine your Aquaventure trip with a visit to the Lost Chambers Aquarium , which is the largest aquarium in the UAE with over 65,000 marine animals displayed here. Apart from viewing the exhibits, visitors can also participate in the daily feeding shows and go diving or snorkelling among the fish.  

Dubai Fountain

Enjoy the evening of your visit to the Dubai Mall by witnessing the Dubai Fountain display with light and water jets shooting up as high as 150m in synchronous patterns. A water dance doesn’t get better than this.  This is the next level of a water fountain!

What to eat in Dubai

From international cafes to restaurants specializing in Emirati cuisines to celebrity chefs cooking up a storm every day, there is a wide-array of culinary options to choose from in Dubai. Eat out at celebrity restaurants or enjoy a meal in a family friendly and instagrammable location.

Here are some tips on the best food in Dubai and how to enjoy it:

Street food: If you enjoy non vegetarian food, try some of the street food in Dubai’s Bur Dubai or Deira areas. Dubai’s traditional pizza, called Manousheh , is a delicious flatbread topped with salty Akkawi cheese, zaatar herbs and olive oil. Best had for breakfast, it comes along with a creamy labneh, jam, minced lamb and eggs. This is probably the best street food in Dubai! If you like spice, you can also try the Lahem Bl Ajin , Lebanese bread with spiced ground meat topping also known as “Arabian pizza”.

Traditional specialties: The famous Chelo Kebab is a combination of kebabs served with saffron-scented basmati rice, with a pat of butter added on. Likewise, Shish Tawook is a kebab served in traditional style and sandwiched in bread, while Al Machboos is a popular dish of rice and meat cooked together in one pot. Al Harees is a dish saved up for weddings, Ramadan and Eid in Dubai. Meat and wheat are baked together into a salty delight; you can’t stop at one.

Sweet delights: While on your Dubai trip, try some of the local sugary concoctions such as Luqaimat , a deep fried Ramadan special dumpling made of milk, sugar, flour, butter, cardamom and saffron. You can also try the Kanafeh , a traditional dessert made of rose syrup and sweet cream cheese and topped with chopped pistachios.

Vegetarian food in Dubai: Apart from Indian food, you can also try some local vegetarian specialties in Dubai, such as Tabbouleh which is made from tomatoes, green onions, cucumber and seasoned with lemon and fresh mint, or the Fattoush salad made with fried or toasted Pita bread pieces complemented with a lemon dressings and greens. Most of the hotels offered in MakeMyTrip’s Dubai packages will also arrange vegetarian food if requested in advance.

Indian restaurants in Dubai: Dubai has a large number of Indian restaurants to suit all budgets. Some of the more famous ones include Bombay Brasserie, Khyber, Indego by Vineet, Chutney’s, Gazebo, Mint Leaf, Chor Bazaar, etc.

If you are in for some experimenting, you can try a variety of street food in Deira, explore beachside eateries at Kite Beach, or enjoy a lavish dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Dubai Marina. With people of many different nationalities residing in Dubai, adding to its cuisines, there are a wide variety of flavours to enjoy here.

Fun things to do in Dubai

The regular Dubai sightseeing covers the most popular places to visit in Dubai through a half-day or full-day Dubai city tour. For something more, there are a number of interesting and fun things to do in Dubai for travellers of all kinds.

Desert Safari with BBQ dinner

Add a thrilling element to your Dubai holiday package with a memorable Desert Safari along with your friends and family. Travel out from Dubai to the golden dunes outside the city, in a 4X4 vehicle with an experienced driver. Enjoy an adrenalin-pumping off-road dune bashing session of 30 to 40 minutes, and take gorgeous pictures of the sunset. Continue to a desert camp where you will enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner along with musical entertainment under the stars. 

Ski Dubai 

Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Mid-East, is located inside the Mall of the Emirates, one of the most famous places in Dubai. This is the perfect place to visit in Dubai for a day of fun with your family. No matter what the weather outside is, Ski Dubai will always be a fantastic sub-zero winter wonderland covered with snow! Here, you can try skiing and snowboarding at 5 different slopes for varying levels of expertise. Ski Dubai also offers classes with professional instructors. There is also a 4500 sq. m. Snow Park, with activities like tobogganing, tubing, zorbing, wall climbing, bob sled rides, and snow play zones. Children will love the Penguin Colony at Ski Dubai, where they can meet King and Gentoo Snow Penguins.

Dhow Marina Cruise

The Dhow cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai for most travellers visiting for the first time. The Dubai Marina, the world’s largest man-made marina, is a peaceful canal lined with famous skyscrapers like the Dubai Marina Mall and the Burj Al Arab. Sailing on the canal on a traditional wooden boat called “Dhow” is a wonderful experience. You will not only enjoy the boat cruise, but also get a great perspective of the wondrous architecture of the area from the boat accompanied by the sound of traditional music in the background. Depending on your preference, you can book a Dhow Cruise with Dinner, or a Sunset Dhow Cruise, or just a regular daytime cruise. Whichever Dhow Marina Cruise you book for your Dubai trip, you are sure to have a great experience!

This almost did not need to be said. Dubai and shopping go hand in hand! Whether you prefer to shop at the upscale Dubai malls such as the Dubai Mall, the Mall of the Emirates, and the Mercato Mall, go bargain hunting at the Dubai Outlet Mall, or stock up on jewellery at the Gold Souk Dubai, Dubai has a lot to offer the serious shopper. If you are looking for traditional products like textiles, ceramics, handicrafts, spices and other souvenirs to bring back from your Dubai holiday, we highly recommend a visit to Meena Bazaar in the Bur Dubai area. This is one of Dubai’s famous places for traditional shopping. If you are a really committed shopper, do consider booking your Dubai trip package to coincide with the Dubai Shopping Festival dates.

Party with a scenic view

Enjoy an evening out in Dubai with your friends and loved ones. We recommend an evening at Shimmers , one of Dubai’s famous places for a special meal. This beachside restaurant in Palm Jumeirah is known for its beautiful location and enchanting views of the Burj Al Arab. Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine in a casual yet intimate atmosphere. This is an ideal inclusion in a Dubai honeymoon package. You can also head to the Lounge at the Armani Hotel for an aperitif or nightcap in quiet luxury, enjoying an unforgettable view of the Dubai Fountain.

Jumeirah Beach Walk

Jumeirah Beach is very upscale and pleasant part of Dubai. The Walk at Jumeirah Beach is a popular open-air hangout full of fashion boutiques, retail stores, cafes and restaurants. Visitors can enjoy the incredible views of the water and the pleasant sea breeze, shop for unique handicrafts and designer products, and enjoy the buzzing vibe of this extremely chic walkway. This place is also where you are likely to see some of the best cars in the world! It is especially popular at night.

Here’s one for the adrenalin junkies. Skydiving in Dubai promises an opportunity to experience freefall right over the unique Palm Jumeirah landscape, or if you prefer it, over the desert outside the city. Experienced instructors guide you every step of the way, so that even beginners can try their first skydive in Dubai. Both tandem and solo skydives are available. It is a heavenly experience worth every second. A child-friendly setting to get a sense of skydiving is available at iFly Dubai , a 10m acrylic glass tunnel for an indoor skydiving simulation experience at Mirdif City Centre.

The 5 most Instagram-worthy luxury experiences in Dubai

Dubai’s high-flying lifestyle is tempting in many ways, with top-of-the-world experiences to explore. Splash out on these unique things to do in Dubai: 

Gyrocopter Ride:   If you wish to take a bird’s eye view of Dubai’s glittering skyline and cityscape, try the gyrocopter experience. This is a small private aircraft, rather like a helicopter, that seats two people and operates from the Dubai Marina. Along with your pilot, you will fly over the Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah, and past the Burj Al Arab. Enjoy the smooth 20 minute ride, with views of the brilliant blue ocean and the glittering skyscrapers of the city. Truly an experience for the ‘gram!

Stretch Limousine Ride:  Feel on top of the world with a luxury ride around Dubai in a gorgeous Stretch Limousine with your own private chauffeur. The one hour drive around Dubai will take you past the city’s highlights like the Burj Al Arab, the Burj Khalifa and the upscale Mall of the Emirates. Enjoy riding around in your luxury vehicle and catching the eye of everybody you pass, as you sit back and relax in your comfy leather seats. This is the perfect insta-worthy experience to book on your Dubai trip if you wish to impress someone special or even plan a proposal!

Chopper Ride:  Make your Dubai trip a memorable one by adding a Helicopter Tour to your Dubai sightseeing. You will take off from the Jumeirah Heliport and fly past iconic sights such as the Burj Khalifa and various other Dubai skyscrapers. Depending on the duration of the flight you have chosen, you will also be able to see sights like the Palm Jumeirah, the Jumeirah coastline, Dubai Canal, Burj Al Arab, Port Rashid, etc. A Helicopter tour of Dubai is certainly a premium add-on to your luxury Dubai holiday.

Private Yacht Ride:  If you prefer being on the water than in the air, we recommend hiring a luxury yacht for a private tour of 2 hours duration. The yacht can take a maximum of 6 persons, so it is great for a family or small group. Enjoy zipping around in your private yacht, relaxing in comfort and watching the skyline as you sip on water and soft drinks. Enjoy the different view of famous places in Dubai like the Atlantis Palm hotel and the Burj Al Arab from the water.

Full-Day Musandam Dibba Tour:  Musandam in Oman is also called the “Norway of Arabia” due to its stunning coastline. This spectacular region, with its beautiful Arabian Sea coast and spectacular Hajar mountain ranges, is just a two-hour drive away from Dubai but offers a complete contrast from Dubai’s modern urban cityscape. Drive to Musandam Dibba and board a traditional Dhow for a cruise on the sparkling waters. You can choose to just relax and enjoy the views, or go swimming and snorkelling in the clear water. The tour to Musandam Dibba can be a highlight of your Dubai package, but remember to prebook it, since it must be blocked in advance along with passport details. You can add this to your Dubai honeymoon package as well.

The list of things to do in Dubai is endless, and very soon you will realise that a single Dubai trip is not enough to fully explore this city of gold. Luckily, the Dubai ticket price for a flight from India is quite attractive especially if booked together with a package, so multiple Dubai holidays are a definite option! We do hope that this Dubai guide will help you pick your favourite places to visit in Dubai for your first Dubai trip. MakeMyTrip has a varied range of Dubai packages from Delhi, Mumbai, and all other major airports of India. So go ahead and start shortlisting those Dubai packages!

A vacation in the glittering city of Dubai will surely leave you spellbound, whether it’s a family holiday, a honeymoon trip, or a tour with friends. Dubai astonishes you with some of the biggest constructions in the world. State-of-the-art skyscrapers, luxurious shopping hubs, bustling nightlife, extravagant activities- the city has many ways to keep you entertained during your Dubai holidays . Take advantage of the extensive and customisable Dubai package from MakeMyTrip and plan your holiday as per your preference. Take your trip to next level and experience the luxurious lifestyle of Dubai with add-on activities in your Dubai package like a private yacht ride, a stretch limousine ride with a private chauffeur or a gyrocopter ride. Add a chopper ride to your sightseeing itinerary and make your vacation memorable. Book a Dubai package and witness the man-made marvel, world’s tallest building - the Burj Khalifa. Visit Dubai Aquarium, the world’s largest suspended aquarium, and treat yourself to a walk amidst an array of aquatic life. Have a shopping experience to remember in the world’s second largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall. Experience that adrenaline rush with sky-diving in your Dubai package . Experience a gastronomic delight during your Dubai holidays with a variety of delicacies, satisfying the taste buds of both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Your Dubai trip would not just be a vacation, but a lifetime experience of an ultramodern life and a peek into the future. So, wait no more and book your Dubai package now!

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Frequently asked questions about Dubai

Ans. You can cover all the main attractions of Dubai in 5 days. Here is a suggested plan for your Dubai trip in 5 days, giving a good mix of leisure and sightseeing: 

Day 1: Arrive in Dubai by flight; relax and go for a Dhow Cruise with Dinner in the evening. 

Day 2: Morning city tour of Dubai and shopping at Dragon Mart; evening Desert safari with BBQ dinner. 

Day 3: Visit the Burj Khalifa’s 124th Floor, followed by the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. 

Day 4: Tour of Ferrari World and Abu Dhabi. 

Day 5: Morning shopping and leave for the airport!

Ans. If you want your Dubai travel plans to be hassle-free, you must also apply for its visa beforehand. A 30-day Dubai visa costs around AED 330 per person which is approximately ₹ 7,350. On the other hand, a 90-day visa would cost nearly AED 650 per person i.e., ₹ 14,500. Passport with a validity of at least six months with 2 minimum blank pages is also mandatory to visit Dubai from India.

Ans. The months of May to September offer the cheapest deals for Dubai travel.

Ans. You can book dedicated Dubai travel packages for couples, if you’re seeking a romantic time in the Emirate. What can be more thrilling than watching the region from the top of the Burj Khalifa? Check out the stunning observation decks nestled on the 124 and 125 levels for breath-taking experiences. A Dhow cruise may also add a special dimension to your evening, complete with incredible vistas of the Dubai skyline. You may even go on a desert safari in the evening, experiencing dune-bashing and buggy rides along with dining under the stars. If you’re in the mood for a long stroll with your beloved, then the Miracle Garden is a great option or you can simply hit the beach. Going shopping together at the Dubai Mall and local Souks also promises to be a fantastic experience. Dubai is sure to offer loads of fun and merriment for couples.

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Dubai   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Adél Békefi | Getty Images

Best Times To Visit Dubai

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

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Popular Times to Visit Dubai

Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.

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Eid Al Adha 2024 in UAE: Where to watch fireworks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi this long weekend

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If you're spending the long weekend in the UAE , don't miss the spectacular fireworks shows lined up at popular attractions.

Eid Al Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice — is one of the most anticipated Islamic holidays in the country. For Muslims, it is a time of prayer, reflection, and charity, bringing communities together in a celebration of faith.

Residents in the UAE are getting a four-day weekend to mark the holiday, from Saturday, June 15, until Tuesday, June 18.

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If your planning to head out with family and friends, here's a quick guide to locations where you can catch firework displays:

Those visiting Dubai Parks and Resorts (DPR) are set to enjoy a stunning fireworks display — but you won't have to enter one of the site's theme parks where tickets cost Dh295.

To catch the show, you'll just have to be at Riverland Dubai — the area that connects DPR's four theme parks. Here are the details:

• Location: Riverland Dubai at Dubai Parks and Resorts
• Date: June 16 and 17
• Entry ticket: While the fireworks show is free, one will need to pay for entry tickets to Riverland. One ticket costs Dh20 when purchased at the counter, but the amount can be used to buy food and drinks. When booked online, the ticket costs Dh15 but cannot be redeemed on food and beverage.

Those in Abu Dhabi — or planning to go to the UAE Capital — are also in for a visual treat.

The night sky are set to come alive with a five-minute fireworks show at these locations:

• Abu Dhabi Corniche: 9pm | June 16
• Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain: 9pm | June 16
• Public Park/ Madinat Zayed/Al Marfa in Al Dhafra: 9pm | June 16

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• Taking Dubai-Abu Dhabi bus during Eid Al Adha break? How to buy tickets in advance
• Eid Al Adha: 6 shows to see in Dubai
• Eid Al Adha: Top places to visit in Dubai for entertainment and sumptuous food
• Eid Al Adha: Dubai announces public park timings
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Expect the cost of your airfare to continue to rise, an aviation trade group and industry heads warn

FILE - A Boeing 777X plane takes off at the Farnborough Air Show fair in Farnborough, England, on July 18, 2022. The cost of your next flight is likely to go up. That’s the word from the International Air Transport Association, which held its annual meeting Monday June 3, 2024 in Dubai, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The cost of your next flight is likely to go up.

That’s the word from the International Air Transport Association, which held its annual meeting Monday in Dubai, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates.

While carriers recover from the groundings worldwide from the coronavirus pandemic, industry leaders told journalists that there are several costs likely to push those ticket prices ever higher.

Part of that comes from worldwide inflation, an ongoing problem since the pandemic started. Jet fuel costs, roughly a third of all airline expenses, remain high. Meanwhile, a global push for the aviation industry to decarbonize has more carriers fighting for the little amount of so-called sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, available in the market.

“The airlines will continue to do everything they can to keep costs in control as much as possible for the benefit of consumers,” said Willie Walsh, the director-general of the the International Air Transport Association, an industry-trade group. “But I think it’s unrealistic to expect that airlines can continue to absorb all of the costs. ... It’s not something we like to do, but it’s something we have to do.”

Also pressuring the industry is a pandemic hangover in aircraft production as well, they say. Carriers now keep older planes that burn more fuel flying longer. There also aren’t enough new aircraft to expand routes and increase supply to bring down overall prices.

That warning comes as the IATA estimates globally, airline revenue will reach nearly $1 trillion in 2024, a record high. There will be 4.96 billion travelers on airplanes this year, with total expenses for carriers reaching $936 billion — another record high.

But industry profits also are expected to be nearly $60 billion this year.

In particular, Emirates, a main driver for Dubai’s economy, saw record profits of $4.7 billion in 2023 off revenues of $33 billion.

The Emirates’ results track with those for its base, Dubai International Airport . The world’s busiest airport for international travelers had 86.9 million passengers last year, surpassing numbers for 2019 just before the coronavirus pandemic grounded global aviation.

The airport now plans to move to the city-state’s second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches in the next 10 years in a project worth nearly $35 billion .

Tim Clark, the airline’s president, obliquely acknowledged that Monday by saying that he didn’t want people to “get boxes of tissues out and play the violins” when warning that the industry’s profit margins sit in the low single digits. However, he contended that as airlines have grown larger and carriers consolidated, cost savings have quietly been passed onto consumers now able to book flights across the world.

“It is quite amazing that ticket prices are where they are today,” Clark said. “I think the value-for-money proposition that the consumers have had the benefit from for many decades is something that is one of those hidden bits of the narrative.”

Yvonne Manzi Makolo, the CEO of RwandAir, also highlighted the taxes and fees imposed on carriers by the countries they operate in. She specifically cited those paid by carriers flying out of African nations as “already ridiculous.”

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Dubai Event Security Committee bares plan to ensure a safe Eid Al-Adha 

Photo courtesy: Dubai Media Office

The Dubai Event Security Committee (ESC) has completed its security preparations for events, tourist areas, and key locations across Dubai for the upcoming Eid Al-Adha.

The ESC has prepared and finalized the Compressive Security Plan with the help of 55 government and private sectors, His Excellency Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, assistant commandant for operations at Dubai Police and chairperson of the ESC said.

The security plan prioritizes the safety and comfort of the residents and tourists in line with the Eid Al-Adha holiday, the Dubai Media Office reported.

“The security measures include safeguarding all mosques and large prayer grounds, deploying patrols across roads, vital and tourist areas, shopping centers, and open markets to enhance security,” Al Ghaithi said.

The security plan includes deploying 429 security patrols, 21 land rescue patrols, 34 marine security boats, 2 helicopters, 5 operations rooms, 135 ambulances, 51 security bicycles, 10 rescue boats, 62 civil defense vehicles, family-only beaches, 24 small cranes, and 5 CBRN responders.

Meanwhile, 107 trains, 14,388 luxury vehicles (limousines), 12,632 taxis, 1,150 public transport buses, 57 marine transport means, and 7 traffic and public transportation control centers are included in the transportation plan.

“Public members are advised to call 901 for non-emergencies and 999 for emergencies and to use the “Police Eye” service in the Dubai Police app to report any observations or violations,” Al Ghaithi reminds the public.

Kristine Erika Agustin

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