Country itinerary · United Arab Emirates
7 days in United Arab Emirates
A route that follows geography, not a list: Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: imran shahabuddin, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Spend 3 days in Dubai, 2 days in Ras Al Khaimah, 2 days in Abu Dhabi. The stops are ordered to keep travel short — about 310 km in total. Go in October–April for good conditions everywhere.
Key facts
- Stops
- 3
- Total distance
- About 310 km
- Start
- Dubai
- Best months
- October–April
Days 1–3: Dubai
Record-breaking towers, winter beaches, desert dunes and creekside souks
Dubai grew from a pearling and trading port on Dubai Creek into a city of skyscrapers stretched along the Gulf coast.
- See: Burj Khalifa – At the Top, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Abra ride across Dubai Creek and Gold Souk and Spice Souk
- Eat: Shawarma and Machboos
- Stay: Downtown Dubai — The Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountain shows
Days 4–5: Ras Al Khaimah
About 94 km from Dubai.
The northernmost emirate combines a long Gulf coastline of beach resorts at Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra and Mina Al Arab with the rugged Hajar Mountains, where the road up Jebel Jais climbs to about 1,900 metres and the Jais Flight zipline and Jais Sledder toboggan run down the slopes.
- See: Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight zipline, Jais Sledder and Dhayah Fort
- Eat: Machboos and Samak mashwi
- Stay: Al Marjan Island — Man-made islands lined with all-inclusive and family beach resorts
Days 6–7: Abu Dhabi
About 217 km from Ras Al Khaimah.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, spreads across a main island and a ring of smaller islands on the Gulf coast.
- See: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan and Qasr Al Hosn
- Eat: Machboos and Harees
- Stay: Corniche and Al Khalidiyah — Beachfront promenade, tower hotels and parks along the island's north-western shore
The route at a glance
| Stop | Days | From previous stop |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3 | Start |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 2 | 94 km |
| Abu Dhabi | 2 | 217 km |
Total straight-line distance between stops: about 310 km. October–April suit every stop on this route.
What 7 days in United Arab Emirates costs
Estimated spend per person on the ground, excluding flights, from the daily ranges in our destination research. Prices change; treat these as planning figures.
| Stop | Days | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3 | $240–$420 | $600–$1,140 | $1,800–$4,800 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 2 | $160–$280 | $400–$760 | $900–$2,200 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2 | $160–$280 | $360–$700 | $900–$2,400 |
| Total | 7 | $560–$980 | $1,360–$2,600 | $3,600–$9,400 |
Dubai is the priciest stop (expensive for international visitors) and Ras Al Khaimah the least expensive (moderately priced), so a longer stay in Ras Al Khaimah stretches the budget.
Questions travellers ask
+Is 7 days enough for United Arab Emirates?
It covers Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi at a steady pace.