Basic 7-Day Dubai Itinerary: One Week In The UAE

What are you able to do in Dubai in a single week? [+ more ideas if you have longer!]

Dubai is a stunning and eclectic metropolis sitting on the azure waters of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.

Recognized for its steamy sizzling summers and unimaginable trendy skyline to its huge plains of rolling desert dunes, is it doable to slot in every thing this mega metropolis has to supply into simply 7 days in Dubai?

It’s robust, however we’re definitely prepared to attempt!

We’ve set out for you beneath a reasonably well-paced one-week plan that takes into consideration all of the totally different facets of Dubai, from the trendy skyscrapers and architectural feats to extra conventional elements of the town, procuring alternatives, desert excursions and naturally, methods to easily calm down and absorb the year-round sunshine.

This can be a tremendous detailed Dubai itinerary for 7 days, so do bookmark this web page for later in your browser or reserve it to Pinterest

Issues to Know Earlier than Visiting Dubai

Earlier than we dive into the juicy particulars of WHAT TO DO, ensure you’ve checked out our important planning data too. We cowl in a lot higher element:

• Dubai eating guides – all our favorite locations to eat, eating specialities, bars and particular events.

• Finest time to go to Dubai – don’t be caught out by the climate or non secular occasions; listed below are the best instances of yr to go to Dubai.

• Take out journey insurance coverage! We’re in an ever-changing world at current; while Dubai stays open for enterprise, don’t get caught brief; make certain your journey is comprehensively insured.

Transport in Dubai for One Week

Over the course of 1 week in Dubai utilizing this itinerary, you’ll need to take a mix of taxis, the Metro and personal excursions.

We’ve given fundamental instructions on the easiest way to get to every place by public transport, if doable, or the place you could want a taxi to get door-to-door with ease. You will discover our full information to Dubai Transport choices right here.

Metro: In the event you keep in Dubai for one week and need to use the Metro traces, it is suggested to get a Silver Nol and high it up with a 7-Day Cross (The cardboard prices 25 AED with 19 AED in credit score, then an everyday weekly Metro move is 110 AED). We clarify all of the fares in additional element right here.

A notice on taxis: Within the hottest a part of the yr (i.e. about Might to October!), be cautious of how far you possibly can stroll through the day. Locations might look comparatively shut and inside strolling distance on a map, however underneath the warmth of the solar, a brief taxi/Uber trip might very a lot be value it (noting a minimal fare applies of 12 AED for taxis).

Hiring a automobile: Except you’re a super-confident driver or plan on taking a number of journeys out of the town, you might be greatest counting on taxis and excursions on your out-of-town journeys throughout a one-week keep in Dubai. You possibly can study extra about self-driving in Dubai right here, or in the event you’re nonetheless fascinated with renting a automobile in Dubai, try how a lot it prices right here:

What Can I Match Into A Dubai Itinerary 7 Days?

With solely 7 days in Dubai, you’ll want to watch out along with your time administration and little doubt e book a couple of actions upfront, particularly in the event you’re visiting at peak tourism instances.

When planning out your days, notice that the weekend in Dubai is now Friday afternoon by Sunday (2.5-day weekends); as of late are MUCH busier with native residents additionally out and about, particularly Friday afternoons after prayer time.

We set out for you right here a balanced itinerary for seeing every thing that Dubai has to supply, but in addition included beneath is a desk of further actions you can combine and match to your tastes.

For a complete record of every thing there’s to see and do in Dubai, pop over right here – we’ve got 150+ concepts!.

Day 1 – 7 Day Dubai Itinerary: Loosen up Into Dubai

Loosen up, unwind and get to know certainly one of Dubai’s trendy beachfront districts.

Whether or not you might be staying in certainly one of Dubai’s luxurious beachfront lodges or not, with 7 days, there’s no have to rush into sightseeing day 1. Many lodges embody their very own superb resort services, or head out to discover certainly one of these beachfront areas on foot:

JBR, Bluewaters, Dubai Marina

Plenty of first-timers discover the world of JBR and Dubai Marina an amazing place to begin. Familiarise your self with The Stroll & The Seashore – catch these rays and shake off the jet lag.

In the event you’d prefer to stretch your legs additional, take a stroll over to the ultra-modern man-made island, Bluewaters Island, to dine and marvel on the Dubai skyline alongside Jumeirah Seashore and maybe add in a flight on Ain Dubai, the biggest remark wheel on this planet for spectacular metropolis views [NB still temporarily closed in 2023].

You possibly can simply spend an entire day within the JBR space between actions alongside the seashore (inflatable water parks, splash pads, jet ski and flyboarding, Flying Cup sky-high eating – learn extra right here!) and onward for dinner within the Dubai Marina space or catch a dinner cruise.

Getting there: Jumeirah Seashore Residence/Dubai Marina is the excellent place to remain for one week as a result of excessive variety of spacious resort residences, or by Metro take Crimson Line to DAMAC Properties or DMCC Metro Station

Lar Mer

One other ultra-modern beachfront space of the town to think about for alleviating into your first day in Dubai is La Mer. An eclectic mixture of palm-tree-lined walkways, retail, eating & play alternatives. There’s even a mini water park right here. As fairly at night time as it’s by day La Mer is a stylish new addition for households and singles alike to get pleasure from Dubai’s trendy vibes.

In the event you don’t need to spend the entire day merely on the seashore, La Mer sees you near each the Jumeirah Mosque – the biggest mosque in Dubai open to the general public for every day excursions – and Etihad Museum, telling the story of the nation’s unification in 1971.

Getting there: No direct Metro cease (nearest is Monetary Centre then a 10-minute taxi), or take bus 8, 9 or 88 alongside Jumeirah Seashore Highway

Relaxation up now, as we’ve now received some fairly busy, action-packed days forward!

Day 2 – 7 Day Dubai Itinerary: Previous Meets New

Step again into the Dubai of the previous, from Bedouin roots to bustling Dubai Creek.

Your first day of actual sightseeing wants to return to the grassroots of what Dubai metropolis is about; a busy buying and selling port metropolis primarily based round Dubai Creek.

Get your bearings at Dubai Body

Let’s begin your exploration of Dubai by taking within the views from the Dubai Body. Just about what it says – it’s a large image body! One of many first vacationer highlights you’ll seize coming from Dubai Worldwide Airport into the town.

You ascend up one aspect of the 150m excessive body (48 flooring) after which stroll throughout the highest. The see-through floored sky deck offers you fabulous views of Previous Dubai, Dubai Creek to Sharjah and past in a single course, and the trendy skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai within the different.

Be taught extra about visiting the Dubai Body right here | Purchase tickets with PlatinumList

Getting there: Nearest Metro is Al Jafiliya for Zabeel Park however it’s an honest stroll, you could favor a taxi/Uber drop off

Wander Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood

That is the oldest a part of Dubai metropolis, a labyrinth of slim laneways that date again to the nineteenth century. The realm of Bur Dubai is protected in order that the town’s heritage doesn’t turn into misplaced perpetually underneath the sprawling skyscrapers. A lot of the conventional sandy-coloured low-rise buildings are actually galleries, museums and small cafes.

Inside this space, you will see that the Dubai Museum, housed inside the Al Faihi Fort, which dates again to 1787. At solely 3 AED it is best to undoubtedly pop your head in for extra perception into the nation’s Bedouin previous and the pre-oil period of Dubai. {CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS SINCE 2020 – NO INDICATION OF REOPEN DATE YET}

There are lots of different Dubai museums to be found inside the laneways; the Espresso Museum (entry payment 10 AED) is certainly one of our favourites value looking for out.

Getting there: Al Fahidi Bus Station or Al Fahidi Metro station

Lunch at Al Seef Waterfront

By now, you’ve got most definitely labored up an urge for food, so in the event you’ve not stopped for lunch in XVA Cafe or Arabian Tea Home located inside Al Faihidi Historic Neighbourhood, now could be time to go to certainly one of many eating places on this waterfront improvement. Seamlessly mixing previous with new it’s instantly throughout the road, subsequent to the Al Faihidi Marine Transport Station.

Al Seef is about up like a conventional souk so that you’ll be capable to do your procuring right here too. Youngsters might get pleasure from popping into the Museum of Illusions or having some enjoyable with images within the instagrammable laneways.

Cross Dubai Creek on an Abra

An absolute should for an genuine previous Dubai expertise! While there are way more trendy strategies as of late of crossing the town, a conventional abra from Bur Dubai to Deira at 1 AED per individual remains to be a steal!

Discover the Conventional Deira Souks

Relying on the warmth, you would spend a number of hours misplaced within the laneways of Deira, the most well-liked stops being the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk. It’s all open-air, so it may be heavy going and a little bit of strolling mid-afternoon within the hotter months.

You’ll discover a couple of extra museums on this space of the town, too, Naif Museum and Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili are value looking for out for historical past lovers.

If you’ll want to escape to airconditioning at this level, Al Ghurair Centre in Deira gives an indoor procuring possibility – a extra trendy mall you possibly can nonetheless choose up low cost(er) clothes and electronics right here earlier than beginning your night exploration.

Take a meals tour in Previous Dubai

For the night, it’s time to soak up some native cuisines. Being the multicultural metropolis that Dubai is, you might be certain many dishes are vying for consideration as “native” delicacies, along with conventional Emirati or Bedouin-style dishes.

Probably the most extremely advisable meals excursions in Dubai is Frying Pan Adventures, who provide varied choices for small teams to have genuine experiences within the streets of Dubai. Or do that extremely counseled small group tradition and meals tour. Most guided excursions begin and finish in Deira.

A ship cruise on Dubai Creek

In the event you didn’t head out on the water night time one in Dubai Marina, attempt it on night time two. Nightly dinner cruises on Dubai Creek will help you tackle a brand new perspective of simply how busy and bustling Dubai nonetheless is as a busy seaport.

Another is to rent a information for Day 2, you’re going to get informative commentary alongside the best way in addition to assist with transportation.

TIP: While the gown code in Dubai is sort of unfastened across the seashore, heading to the older elements of city it’s undoubtedly advisable and well mannered to cowl up extra – we speak extra about what’s applicable when right here.

Day 3 – 7 Day Dubai Itinerary: Trendy Dubai

Discover round Downtown Dubai, from towering heights to mighty fountains and every thing in between.

In full distinction to Day 2, let’s take you over to the glimmering skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai and the ultra-modern aspect of the town.

Dubai Mall

Usually touted as the largest shopping center on this planet (although technically it’s not!), there are a plethora of indoor experiences to have simply inside Dubai Mall, aside from procuring! Particularly in the event you’re visiting in the summertime, it’s simple to spend two days simply exploring every thing this mega mall has to supply.

Let’s be lifelike, although and assume with half a day; you possibly can discover certainly one of:

There are lots extra issues to see and do indoors and a few simply outdoors and on the roof – see the total record of Dubai Mall points of interest right here.

Getting there: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station on the Crimson Line Metro, then there’s an air-conditioned travellator connecting you to all the surrounding space of Downtown

Scale the Burj Khalifa

It could be exhausting to set out a Dubai itinerary and never embody THE most iconic constructing within the metropolis – the world’s tallest constructing on this planet, no much less! Sure, you possibly can journey to the remark deck of the constructing on the 124th and 125h flooring (additional packages take you to the 148th flooring!), and even dine at At.mosphere restaurant and lounge on Degree 122.

In the event you’re uncertain what expertise may go well with you, head over to our full customer’s information to visiting the Burj Khalifa, the place we set out all of your visiting choices – no outdoors climbing permitted, Mission Unimaginable-style!

If there’s one a part of your Dubai itinerary you merely should e book upfront; it’s the Burj Khalifa. Tickets on the door are extortionately costlier and may promote out. Do permit a very good 2 hours for queuing and having a very good go searching. Observe sundown and dawn slots (weekends solely) value extra.

Souk Al Bahar

One other spot to discover close by is Souk Al Bahar. Accessed over a pedestrian bridge from Dubai Mall, this contemporary market is made within the design of a conventional souk providing handicrafts by to tremendous eating and spectacular views over Burj Lake.

You will discover a wide selection of locations to seize a drink and chunk round downtown Dubai right here.

Sky Views Dubai

A model new various to scaling the Burj is to attempt Sky View Dubai. This sensational new expertise just isn’t for the fainthearted as you’re taking a glass elevator to the 52nd flooring of Sky Views Observatory above Downtown. Stroll the 46m glass-floored walkway between two towers, then take a clear slide-ride over the town!

The tremendous courageous might even need to tackle Edge Stroll for a hands-free leap of religion! Scale your means across the outdoors of the Tackle Sky View Lodge. Though not as excessive because the Burj Khalifa, we’d argue Sky View gives a extra distinctive view of the town.

Night in Downtown Dubai

There are a number of methods to proceed having fun with Downtown Dubai properly into the night, its the hub of Dubai nightlife alongside JBR/Dubai Marina.

The Dubai Fountain present is without doubt one of the most well-liked free issues to do in Dubai. Ranging from 6:00 PM nightly, then each half hour, watch the fabulously choreographed mild and sound present on Burj Lake, sitting on the foot of Burj Khalifa. Later within the night, the Burj Khalifa additionally lights up for half-hourly reveals.

For a close-up view of the fountain present, you possibly can take an abra trip on the lake. Alternatively, our favorite is to pick one of many eating places with uninterrupted views in both Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar and dine while attending to see the present a couple of instances over with out the crowds.

In case your journey occurs to align with one thing you get pleasure from at Dubai Opera, that is one other sensational Downtown Dubai expertise to get glammed up for.

If concrete and trendy Dubai is de facto not you, then head to the itemizing beneath of the most effective cultural actions to proceed on a couple of extra actions we couldn’t squeeze in Day 2. A day journey to the Coronary heart of Sharjah could also be preferable.

Day 4 – 7 Day Dubai Itinerary: Seashore & Desert

A day for sand and surf – dune browsing, that’s!

One factor Dubai undoubtedly does properly, and in copious portions, is sand!! So why not dedicate Day 4 to our two favorite Dubai actions, hitting the seashore and hitting the desert?

In the event you’re not staying at a resort resort, pick certainly one of Dubai’s well-liked seashore golf equipment and benefit from the rays for a couple of hours with the consolation of a sunbed and desk service. For extra excessive adventures, you would add in a jet ski tour, or in the event you’ve not hit the waters but, a ship cruise to see the distinctive Dubai skyline.

Dubai additionally has loads of public seashores, some are fully free, and others have a small Dubai municipality cost however nice services. Native favourites embody Al Mamzar Park and Kite Seashore has barely larger waves than others, or head to Sundown Seashore for iconic views of the Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious resort.

Purchasing various

If it’s getting sizzling out otherwise you’d favor just a little retail remedy, spend the morning at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Much like Souk Al Bahar in Downtown, it is a trendy souk (market) inbuilt conventional model, with indoor and outside (seasonal) stalls and outlets providing vacationer tat to real souvenirs and an outstanding vary of eateries.

Once more, you will get some sensible Burj Al Arab views right here and even take an abra out on the waterways across the extravagant Jumeirah lodges (a bit extra dear than the 1 AED on Dubai Creek however an incredible backdrop!).

Getting there: Souk Madinat Jumeirah just isn’t on the Metro, however you will get to the Mall of the Emirates and a brief taxi from there, or cease at Web Metropolis after which hop on Bus 88.

Within the afternoon, get set for the Dubai desert. There are quite a few tour operators who’ve camps arrange within the dunes simply outdoors of the town, in addition to a choose few operators within the protected Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.

A typical desert safari journey in Dubai will embody metropolis pickups; you then’ll journey by 4×4 into the dunes, performing some dune bashing alongside the best way earlier than an providing of sand sports activities – choose from quad bikes, fats bikes, sandboarding, camel rides, henna portray, shisha then be part of a communal BBQ dinner.

Alternatively, if you’re extra fascinated with seeing the desert wildlife than the sand sports activities, go for premium choices provided by Platinum Heritage, just a little extra dear however for smaller teams, a extra real desert expertise.

Getting there: No want to fret about your 4×4 expertise, tour operators will choose you up out of your resort or a handy metropolis location

You are able to do day 4 in reverse too; In the event you take an early morning desert safari you will get out and beat the warmth, then spend your afternoon and night having fun with procuring, wandering the souk or a seashore membership afternoon with sundowners to complete.

If you’re visiting within the peak of summer season, you’d possible have to scratch this outside day and change it with some additional actions from our indoor information to Dubai eg, Ski Dubai or Inexperienced Planet

Day 5 – 7 Day Dubai Itinerary: Abu Dhabi Day Journey

No journey to the UAE is full with out seeing the Capital, Abu Dhabi.

Probably the most iconic of buildings to go to in Abu Dhabi is the merely beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

While it’s doable to squeeze in a visit to the Grand Mosque solely on a half-day journey to Abu Dhabi – it’s lower than 90 minutes on a tour coach Dubai to Abu Dhabi – you’d be doing your self an injustice to not see extra of the town.

Getting there: If you wish to transfer at your personal tempo, then undoubtedly rent a automobile on your Abu Dhabi day journey, however catching a tour is the best possibility – the massive value differential is whether or not you be part of a shared vacationer coach or take a personal tour

We’ve got extra particulars right here on the spectacular locations in Abu Dhabi you possibly can squeeze in on a one-day journey from Dubai – together with the Louvre Museum and Qasr al Watan, the Presidential Palace. An extended itinerary would see not less than 2 to three days spent in Abu Dhabi to seize the highlights of the capital correctly.

If you’re a theme park junkie, you could need to even keep in a single day and luxuriate in Day 6 on the Yas Island theme parks, simply nearly as good (if not higher!) than their Dubai counterparts – Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi & Ferrari World.

Abu Dhabi is however one of many different 7 Emirates of the United Arab Emirates (albeit by far the biggest in dimension and the richest in oil!). Dubai is sort of central within the nation, so it’s a nice base for exploring the remainder of the Emirates. We’ve got extra concepts listed beneath for various or further day journeys from Dubai.

The place to remain in Abu Dhabi? For the Yas Island theme parks, undoubtedly in a single day within the model new Hilton Yas Island. For views of the Grand Mosque, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi or Fairmont Bab Al Bahr on the Grand Canal are good selections nearer to Dubai finish of city.

These staying longer in Abu Dhabi, pop on over to our Abu Dhabi Journey Planner web site.

Day 6 – 7 Day Dubai Itinerary: Dubai Theme Park Day!

Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies won’t ever be left disenchanted in Dubai.

Now you probably have littles travelling with you (or massive youngsters at coronary heart!), you could properly want to maneuver theme park day additional up the itinerary or dedicate two full days.

There’s an outstanding number of world-class theme parks to select from in Dubai. In the event you’re visiting within the lovely shoulder seasons (roughly March to Might and October to November), our high choose could be one of many mega water parks – select from Atlantis Aquaventure or Wild Wadi at Jumeirah.

(NB, in the event you keep at Atlantis the Palm or any of the Jumeirah lodges, your water park entry will likely be included!)

Over the cooler winter months of the yr (December to February), Dubai Parks & Resorts is our best choice. Right here you possibly can select between 4 related theme parks (ideally, you possibly can slot in two of those in a day – three at a squeeze):

• Legoland Dubai
• Legoland Dubai Water Park
• Motiongate
• Bollywood Parks

And if it’s the height of summer season, the highest choose goes to IMG Worlds of Journey – suppose Marvel characters to Cartoon Community-themed rides and actions. IMG is completely indoors to beat the warmth.

If theme parks actually aren’t your factor, we strongly counsel checking our alternate solutions for day journeys & cultural actions you would add on beneath.

Getting there: The Theme Parks in Dubai are all fairly unfold out, Atlantis Aquaventure is on the outer crescent of Palm Jumeirah and Wild Wadi is near Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Dubai Parks & Resorts is in Jebel Ali, past the tip of the Metro and IMG Worlds of Journey sits south of the town. In a bunch, it’s value getting a taxi for today

Day 7 – 7 Day Dubai Itinerary: Splurge on one thing distinctive

In your final day, it’s time to tick off something you’re but to see and do from our concepts above and have interaction in one thing uniquely Dubai.

Some high solutions for “solely in Dubai” experiences embody:

In the event you’ve not had the chance but, discover certainly one of Dubai’s dramatic rooftop bars (seasonal) to complete off your unimaginable week in Dubai with dramatic views over the town skyline or the Arabian Gulf.

Further actions on your Dubai itinerary

There was solely a lot we might slot in an preliminary 7-day itinerary!

If among the above actions don’t enchantment, had been out of your funds, or maybe you’d like so as to add some further days to make it a 10-day or two-week itinerary, right here’s what you would look so as to add:

Often Requested Questions on Dubai itineraries

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