15 min
Dubai is one of the most trending tourist destinations in the world. With its diverse culture, iconic buildings, and exciting activities, this international hub has quickly become one of the top choices for travelers, and for a good reason. From the tallest building in the world to the largest waterpark, 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 is 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.
5-Day Itinerary
7-Day Itinerary
Feeling Adventurous?
The Best Ladies' Nights Guide In Dubai
The Ultimate Brunch Guide In Dubai
The Best Party & Nightlife Guide In Dubai
Things To Know Before Traveling To Dubai
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 – Downtown Dubai
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
Downtown Dubai 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 this hotspot. 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.
Shop
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 – Za'abeel
The second day in Dubai can be spent exploring more stunning monuments in the city like the Dubai Frame and The Link, both located in the beautiful area of Za'abeel. Explore this beautiful urban location and dine at new heights at The Link.
Dubai Frame
You've seen it everywhere on the socials, on and off Dubai-related pages, and now it's time to let that breakfeast sit in nicely at The Dubai Frame- one of the city’s most famous attractions for visitors and residents alike. Much like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab's iconic structures, the building's landmark location in Zabeel Park provides panoramic views of the city. To the North side you get to view the historic side of Dubai while the South provides the modern cityscape. Alongside these breathtaking views, you will be experiencing the past, present and future of Dubai from the ground to the sky. Animations and holographic effects along with traditional music and aromatic scents will transport you back in time and of course you won’t miss the Future Zone, where an immersive time tunnel reveals what Dubai is expected to look like in 50 years! +971 800 900 is the number you can use for ticketing information.
The Link Za'abeel
Visit Dubai's most captivating dining destination, floating 100 meters above the ground at The Link. Holding the title of the world’s longest cantilever, this mesmerising space spans 230 metres in length and stands three storeys tall, creating an elevated dining and lifestyle hub in the soulful heart of Dubai. The Link is also home to some exceptional bars and restaurants like La Dame de Pic, Qabu by Paco Morales and many more flavors to satisfy your tastebuds.
Day 3 – Jumeirah
Spend your next day in this amazing city exploring the vibrant locality of Jumeirah. The beaches, the restaurants, the views, this is a must visit spot in Dubai!
Burj Al Arab
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.
Madinat Jumeirah
After a luxurious afternoon, head over to Madinat Jumeriah and discover the old fashioned souks littered all over. Madinat Jumeirah also houses some of the best restaurants in the city making it the perfect place for a delectable dinner after an evening of shopping.
Day 4 – The Palm
The iconic tree-shaped Palm Jumeirah island is known for glitzy hotels, posh residential spaces, top-notch restaurants and electrifying nightlife. A fully man-made structure floating off the coast of Dubai, it is home to some world famous hotels and restaurants like Atlantis The Palm, Atlantis the Royal, Nobu and 101 Dining and other attractions at The Pointe, located along a scenic promenade at the tip of The Palm.
Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark
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.
Atlantis The Palm
Aquaventure is located within the famous Atlantis hotel, which means that your visit will also give you an opportunity to explore the luxurious location. Atlantis is viewed as the crown of Palm Jumeirah, housing world class amenities from Michelin-Starred dining, top-notch wellness facilites to the world's largest waterpark, Aquaventure World and not forgetting a nightlife that never ends capturing the true spirit of Dubai. To make the most out of the day, ensure you arrive at Aquaventure as early as possible.
The Pointe
Continue touring through Palm Jumeirah, journey ahead 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.
Day 5 – Sheikh Zayed Road
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 Sheikh Zayed Road and discover amazing sights like the Museum of the Future to delve into mind-blowing technological advancement and plans of the region. Additionally visit Dubai International Financial Centre for amazing spots to dine and party!
Museum of the Future
Discover the home of extraordinary imagination at the Museum of the Future. This structure is a marvellous beauty as its facade is a canvas for the poetry of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum rendered in the calligraphy of Mattar bin Lahej. The Museum builds on the visionary culture that has transformed the UAE into one of the world’s most advanced nations in less than 50 years. It is a showcase for the spirit of courage, optimism and innovation that propels Dubai forward.
Dubai International Financial Centre
DIFC is the business hub of Dubai. This location houses some of the best happy hours, nightclubs and restaurants in the city! Make sure to pass through and admire the mesmerising skyscrapers dotted all over and to pop into some world famous eaterys.
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.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Inside the Louvre 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
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.
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.
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.
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