7 days in Dubai

Day by day

1. Day 1: Burj Khalifa – At the Top and Dubai Fountain

   Burj Khalifa – At the Top and Dubai Fountain, then Dubai Marina and JBR Walk in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Burj Khalifa – At the Top

      Downtown Dubai · 1.5–2 hours · expensive. Book timed tickets online in advance, especially for sunset and on winter weekends.

   2. Late morning

      Dubai Fountain

      Downtown Dubai · 30 minutes · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Shawarma

      Cafeterias in Deira, Bur Dubai, Satwa and Karama, many open late.

   4. Evening

      Dubai Marina and JBR Walk

      Walk the marina at dusk, then take a dhow dinner cruise or eat at one of the JBR beachfront restaurants.

2. Day 2: Dubai Mall and Abra ride across Dubai Creek

   Dubai Mall and Abra ride across Dubai Creek, then Global Village in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Dubai Mall

      Downtown Dubai · 2–4 hours · free.

   2. Late morning

      Abra ride across Dubai Creek

      Dubai Creek · 30 minutes · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Machboos

      Emirati restaurants in Al Fahidi and Al Seef, and cultural meals at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre.

   4. Evening

      Global Village

      Go on a weekday evening, eat your way around the pavilions and check the fireworks schedule.

3. Day 3: Museum of the Future and Burj Al Arab

   Museum of the Future and Burj Al Arab, then Dubai Marina and JBR in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Museum of the Future

      Sheikh Zayed Road · 2 hours · mid-priced. Timed tickets must be booked online and sell out at weekends.

   2. Late morning

      Burj Al Arab

      Umm Suqeim · 1 hour · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Harees

      Emirati restaurants, especially during Ramadan.

   4. Evening

      Dubai Marina and JBR

      Beach bars, sports pubs and lounges along the waterfront and in hotels.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Abu Dhabi

   About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or bus each way. Getting there: Car, taxi or intercity bus.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Abu Dhabi

      About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or bus (Car, taxi or intercity bus); about 140 km.

   2. Day

      Abu Dhabi

      The UAE capital's highlights are the white-marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, open to respectfully dressed visitors, the Louvre Abu Dhabi beneath its latticed dome on Saadiyat Island, and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.

   3. Evening

      Back in Dubai

      Dinner: try Luqaimat.

5. Day 5: Kite Beach and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

   Kite Beach and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, then Downtown and DIFC in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kite Beach

      Umm Suqeim · Half a day · free.

   2. Late morning

      Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

      Bur Dubai · 1.5–2 hours · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Luqaimat

      Emirati cafés, festivals and stalls at Global Village.

   4. Evening

      Downtown and DIFC

      Rooftop bars, cocktail lounges and upmarket restaurants in the financial centre and around the Burj Khalifa.

6. Day 6: Day trip to Sharjah

   About 30–60 minutes by taxi each way. Getting there: Taxi or ride-hailing; traffic is heavy at rush hour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Sharjah

      About 30–60 minutes by taxi (Taxi or ride-hailing; traffic is heavy at rush hour); about 30 km.

   2. Day

      Sharjah

      Alcohol is not sold in Sharjah, and dress codes are stricter than in Dubai.

   3. Evening

      Back in Dubai

      Dinner: try Balaleet.

7. Day 7: Al Shindagha Museum and Gold Souk and Spice Souk

   Al Shindagha Museum and Gold Souk and Spice Souk, then Palm Jumeirah in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Al Shindagha Museum

      Bur Dubai · 2 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Gold Souk and Spice Souk

      Deira · 1.5–2 hours · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Balaleet

      Emirati restaurants serving breakfast.

   4. Evening

      Palm Jumeirah

      Beach clubs and hotel lounges with views back to the skyline.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Burj Khalifa – At the Top and Museum of the Future before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 7 nights, Downtown Dubai keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Business Bay ($$$) suits budget, first-timers and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–27 hours of visiting over 7 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.7 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Dubai
• 2 days in Dubai
• 3 days in Dubai
• 4 days in Dubai
• 5 days in Dubai

Questions travellers ask