Skip to content
TripWalkersTripsDownload on the App Store

Dubai itinerary

7 days, hour by hour · UAEOctober–May

Days
7
Stops
33
Per day
≈ 671 AED
First stop
09:00

By TripWalkers · Updated:

Short answer

The TripWalkers Dubai itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 33 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:

  1. Day 1 Downtown and Burj Khalifa
  2. Day 2 Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, abra and souks
  3. Day 3 Jumeirah and the beach

Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Day 6 is a day trip out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 671 AED a day (excluding accommodation and flights).

Day 1 · 10:00–19:30

Downtown and Burj Khalifa

  1. Shopping

    Dubai Mall

    The world's largest mall, with an aquarium window and an ice rink. An air-conditioned start.

    Free

  2. Culture

    Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

    A tunnel aquarium inside the mall; watch the sharks.

    ≈ 199 AED per person

  3. Food

    Social House Dubai Mall

    International menu with fountain views; lunch.

    ≈ 120 AED per person
  4. 2 h · travel, break, free time

  5. Landmark

    Burj Khalifa At the Top

    Floors 124-125; sunset slot (~219 AED). Book tickets online weeks ahead. You get the sunset and the city lights in one visit.

    ≈ 219 AED per person
  6. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  7. Landmark

    Dubai Fountain

    The fountain show on Burj Lake runs every 30 minutes; watch it free from the Souk Al Bahar terrace.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Time Out Market DubaiA food market in Souk Al Bahar; lunch with plenty of choice.
  • Sky Views ObservatoryA glass walkway facing the Burj; a fallback if Burj tickets are sold out.

Day 2 · 09:30–14:30

Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, abra and souks

  1. Landmark

    Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    Stone houses with wind towers; have breakfast at Arabian Tea House and stop by the coffee museum. Cool in the morning.

    Free

  2. Culture

    Dubai Museum Al Shindagha

    Pearl-diving history and a Creek museum in Shindagha; air-conditioned.

    ≈ 50 AED per person

  3. Landmark

    Dubai Creek Abra

    Cross to Deira by wooden boat for 1 AED; Dubai's cheapest and loveliest moment.

    ≈ 1 AED per person

  4. Shopping

    Deira Spice Souk

    Spices, saffron and incense; haggling is a must, and half the asking price is normal.

    Free

  5. Food

    Al Ustad Special Kabab

    Iranian kebabs since 1978; in Bur Dubai, with walls full of photos. Dubai's most famous budget restaurant.

    ≈ 60 AED per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Arabian Tea House Al FahidiEmirati breakfast or lunch in a courtyard.
  • Deira Gold SoukThe gold market; a window-shopping stroll next to the Spice Souk.

Day 3 · 09:00–19:00

Jumeirah and the beach

  1. Nature

    Kite Beach

    A free sandy beach with views of the Burj Al Arab. Sunbeds cost 50-100 AED, and the sea is 22°C in winter.

    Free
  2. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Culture

    Jumeirah Mosque

    The only mosque tour open to non-Muslims (10:00 and 14:00, SMCCU); architecture and a Q&A.

    ≈ 40 AED per person

  4. Food

    Al Fanar Restaurant Jumeirah

    A 1960s-themed Emirati restaurant; try the machboos (spiced rice with meat) and luqaimat (sweet dumplings).

    ≈ 120 AED per person
  5. 1 h · travel, break, free time

  6. Shopping

    Madinat Jumeirah Souk

    A man-made souk with canals; the abra ride costs 100 AED, with a sunset view of the Burj Al Arab.

    Free

  7. Landmark

    Burj Al Arab Viewpoint

    Sunset views of the Burj Al Arab from Jumeirah Beach; free.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Pierchic MadinatA restaurant on a pier over the sea; a special evening.
  • Etihad MuseumThe museum of the UAE's founding; air-conditioned.

Day 4 · 10:00–19:00

Marina and the Palm

  1. Nature

    Dubai Marina Walk

    A marina promenade among the skyscrapers; coffee.

    Free

  2. Landmark

    The View at The Palm

    An observation deck on the 52nd floor of Palm Jumeirah; this is where you see the palm shape.

    ≈ 100 AED per person

  3. Shopping

    Nakheel Mall

    The Palm's mall; an air-conditioned break.

    Free

  4. Food

    Bu Qtair Jumeirah

    A fishermen's shack turned legend; fried fish of the day, eaten standing or on a stool.

    ≈ 70 AED per person
  5. 2 h · travel, break, free time

  6. Nature

    JBR The Walk & Beach

    The JBR seafront strip; swim in winter, take an evening stroll in summer, with views of Ain Dubai.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Marina Social DubaiA modern menu in the Marina.
  • Ain DubaiThe world's largest observation wheel; if it is open.

Day 5 · 09:30–21:00

Desert safari

  1. Nature

    Dubai Miracle Garden

    A garden of 150 million flowers (open November to April); cool in the morning.

    ≈ 95 AED per person
  2. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Shopping

    Global Village

    Country pavilions and street food (October to April).

    ≈ 25 AED per person

  4. Food

    Ravi Restaurant Satwa

    Pakistani cuisine; Dubai's most famous budget restaurant. The dal and chicken karahi are good.

    ≈ 40 AED per person
  5. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Nature

    Lahbab Desert Safari

    4x4 dune bashing over red dunes, camels, sunset, a BBQ and a show; hotel pickup included, 250-400 AED.

    ≈ 250 AED per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Al Mallah SatwaLebanese shawarma and fruit cocktails; an alternative to Ravi.
  • Al Qudra LakesArtificial lakes and flamingos in the desert; go by car instead of the safari.

Day 6 · 09:00–18:00Day trip

Abu Dhabi

  1. Culture

    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

    1.5 hours from Dubai (E100 bus, 25 AED). It holds the world's largest carpet and chandeliers; entry is free, online registration is required, and an abaya is provided at the entrance.

    Free
  2. 45 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Culture

    Louvre Abu Dhabi

    Jean Nouvel's rain-of-light dome; on Saadiyat Island, air-conditioned.

    ≈ 63 AED per person

  4. Food

    Louvre Abu Dhabi Cafe

    Lunch at the museum cafe, beneath the dome.

    ≈ 90 AED per person
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Culture

    Qasr Al Watan

    The presidential palace; white marble and a library.

    ≈ 65 AED per person
  7. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  8. Nature

    Abu Dhabi Corniche

    A seafront promenade; the return bus leaves at 18:30.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Emirates Palace Le CaféGold-flecked cappuccino in the palace hotel.
  • Ferrari World Yas IslandThe world's fastest roller coaster; an alternative to the palace.

Day 7 · 10:00–14:30

Easy farewell morning

  1. Culture

    Alserkal Avenue

    An art gallery district in Al Quoz; coffee and free exhibitions.

    Free

  2. Shopping

    Karama Market

    Souvenirs and textiles; haggle.

    Free

  3. Food

    Logma Boxpark

    A modern Emirati cafe; regag bread (thin Emirati flatbread) and karak tea, a farewell.

    ≈ 80 AED per person

  4. Landmark

    Dubai Metro Red Line Airport

    Take the metro to DXB Terminals 1-3; goodbye.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Karak House JumeirahKarak tea and Emirati breakfast; a light farewell.
  • Jameel Arts CentreContemporary art on the Creek; an alternative to Alserkal.

Getting around: get a Nol Card

Valid on the metro, tram, buses and abra; the Silver card is the most practical.

Good to know: 6 things that make a Dubai trip easier

  1. Use the metro with a Nol card (Red Line from the airport to the Marina); taxis are cheap and reliable (Careem/Uber). The E100 bus to Abu Dhabi costs 25 AED.
  2. November to March is ideal at 20-28°C, good for the beach, the desert and being outdoors. Evenings are cool, so bring a cardigan.
  3. Mosque visits require long sleeves and a headscarf; an abaya is provided at Sheikh Zayed. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels and restaurants.
  4. Burj Khalifa sunset tickets sell out weeks ahead, as do Museum of the Future tickets.
  5. Old Dubai is cheap and authentic: an abra costs 1 AED and a kebab at Al Ustad 60 AED; Downtown and the Marina are expensive.
  6. A 10% tip is common; haggling in the souks is a must, so start at half the price.

Spending: ≈ 4,700 AED per person for 7 days

  • Food2,200 AED
  • Entry and tours1,600 AED
  • Local transport400 AED
  • Other500 AED

Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.

On world lists: 3 places in this city

Dining · No. 27Trèsind StudioCocktails · No. 36Mimi KakushiDining · No. 37Orfali Bros Bistro

We did the planning. You just pick the dates.

TripWalkers rebuilds this route around your number of days, budget and pace — on a map, day by day, in your pocket.

Download on the App StoreFor iPhone · English and Turkish · Free to download

Your next trip

Same city · June–SeptemberDubaiUAE · October–MayAbu DhabiThailand · October–MayBangkokHong Kong · October–MayHong KongUnited Kingdom · October–MayLondonFrance · October–MayParisMalaysia · October–MayKuala Lumpur

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Dubai?

This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 6; skip it on a short stay.

How much does a day in Dubai cost?

In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 671 AED per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.

What time should you start the day in Dubai?

The first stop is at 09:00. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.

Which season is this itinerary for?

This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.