7-Day Dubai Itinerary

Arrive & check into Downtown Dubai

Land, clear immigration and check into a hotel near Downtown Dubai to be close to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.

Settle in and rest off jet lag

Unpack, grab a light bite and take it easy after the flight before the afternoon's sightseeing.

Burj Khalifa 'At the Top' deck

Ride the high-speed lift to the 124th and 125th floor observation decks for panoramic views over the city and Gulf.

Dubai Fountain show & Souk Al Bahar dinner

Watch the choreographed Dubai Fountain show from the boardwalk, then dine at Souk Al Bahar with fountain-facing tables.

Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood

Wander the narrow lanes and coral-stone wind-tower houses of Al Fahidi, then pop into the Dubai Museum at Al Fahidi Fort.

Abra ride across Dubai Creek

Cross the creek on a traditional wooden abra for under a dirham, watching dhows load cargo along the waterfront.

Gold Souk & Spice Souk browsing

Haggle over 24-karat jewellery in the Gold Souk, then breathe in saffron and frankincense at the nearby Spice Souk.

Machboos and karak at a Deira eatery

Try slow-cooked machboos (spiced rice with meat) and a cup of karak tea at a no-frills Deira restaurant.

Museum of the Future exhibits

Explore immersive exhibits on space, biotech and AI inside the calligraphy-clad, ring-shaped Museum of the Future.

Dubai Frame's golden viewing deck

Stand on the glass floor of the Dubai Frame's 150-metre viewing bridge, looking out over old Deira and new Downtown.

Zabeel Park picnic and shade break

Cool off with a picnic lunch in Zabeel Park's gardens, right beside the Dubai Frame, before the afternoon heat peaks.

Sunset ride on Ain Dubai

Take a slow rotation on Ain Dubai, the giant observation wheel on Bluewaters Island, timed for golden hour.

Slow start before desert pickup

Sleep in and have a relaxed breakfast, since most desert safaris depart mid-afternoon to avoid peak heat.

Last-minute gear at Dubai Mall

Pick up sandals, sunscreen or a scarf for the dunes at Dubai Mall before the desert convoy departs.

Dune bashing in the Lahbab desert

Head out by 4x4 into the red dunes of Lahbab for dune bashing and a short camel ride as the sun drops.

Bedouin camp BBQ under the stars

Watch a tanoura dance and belly-dancing show over a barbecue dinner at a desert camp lit by lanterns.

Beach morning at The Palm

Spend the morning on a beach club or public stretch of sand along Palm Jumeirah's fronds, sea calm and warm.

Palm Monorail to the Pointe

Ride the elevated Palm Monorail down the trunk of the island for views of the villas and surrounding sea.

Lunch and shade at The Pointe boardwalk

Cool off over lunch at a waterfront cafe on The Pointe, with the Atlantis resort framed across the water.

Fountain and light show at The Pointe

Catch the evening fountain and laser show on The Pointe before an easy seafood dinner nearby.

Marina Walk promenade stroll

Walk the 7km Marina Walk promenade past yachts and glass towers, stopping for a flat white at a marina-front cafe.

Dhow cruise or abra hop on the marina

Hop a short traditional abra across the marina channel, or book a lunchtime dhow cruise past the towers.

Afternoon at JBR beach

Relax on the open public beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence, with The Beach mall's shops and cafes steps away.

Rooftop shisha and dinner in the Marina

Finish with mezze and shisha at a rooftop lounge overlooking the marina skyline as the towers light up.

Drive to Abu Dhabi

Set off early for the roughly 90-minute drive along Sheikh Zayed Road to Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Tour the marble courtyards and world's largest hand-knotted carpet inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island

Wander the domed, light-dappled galleries of Louvre Abu Dhabi, tracing art history across cultures and eras.

Corniche dinner and drive back

Grab dinner along Abu Dhabi's Corniche waterfront before the evening drive back to Dubai.