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Dubai itinerary

7 days, hour by hour · UAEJune–September

Days
7
Stops
33
Per day
≈ 729 AED
First stop
08:30

By TripWalkers · Updated:

Short answer

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

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

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 729 AED a day (excluding accommodation and flights).

Day 1 · 10:00–20:00

Downtown and Burj Khalifa

  1. Shopping

    Dubai Mall

    The world's largest shopping mall, with an aquarium and ice rink. An air-conditioned start to the day.

    Free

  2. Culture

    Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

    A tunnel aquarium inside the mall, with sharks.

    ≈ 199 AED per person

  3. Food

    Social House Dubai Mall

    International menu with fountain views. Lunch stop.

    ≈ 120 AED per person
  4. 3 h · travel, break, free time

  5. Landmark

    Burj Khalifa At the Top

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

    ≈ 219 AED per person

  6. Landmark

    Dubai Fountain

    A fountain show every 30 minutes on Burj Lake. Watch for free from the Souk Al Bahar terrace.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Time Out Market DubaiFood hall at Souk Al Bahar. Lunch with plenty of choice.
  • Sky Views ObservatoryGlass walkway facing the Burj. A backup if Burj tickets are unavailable.

Day 2 · 08:30–13:30

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 visit the coffee museum. Mornings are cool.

    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. One of the cheapest and best moments in Dubai.

    ≈ 1 AED per person

  4. Shopping

    Deira Spice Souk

    Spices, saffron and incense. Haggling is a must; paying 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 cheap eatery.

    ≈ 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. Browse the windows; it is next to the Spice Souk.

Day 3 · 09:00–19:00

Aquaventure and the Palm

  1. Nature

    Aquaventure Waterpark Atlantis

    A huge water park on the Palm, the only cure for summer heat. Buy tickets online; mornings are less crowded.

    ≈ 345 AED per person
  2. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Culture

    Jumeirah Mosque

    Mosque tour at 14:00, guided by SMCCU.

    ≈ 40 AED per person

  4. Food

    Al Fanar Restaurant Jumeirah

    A 1960s-themed Emirati restaurant. Try the machboos and luqaimat.

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

  6. Shopping

    Madinat Jumeirah Souk

    An artificial souk with canals. The abra tour costs 100 AED, with sunset views of the Burj Al Arab.

    Free

  7. Landmark

    Burj Al Arab Viewpoint

    Sunset view of the sail-shaped hotel from Jumeirah Beach. Free.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Pierchic MadinatA pier restaurant over the sea. A special dinner.
  • Etihad MuseumMuseum on the founding of the UAE. Air-conditioned.

Day 4 · 09:00–19:00

Marina and the Palm

  1. Nature

    Dubai Marina Walk

    A marina promenade among skyscrapers. Stop for coffee.

    Free
  2. 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Landmark

    The View at The Palm

    Observation terrace on floor 52 of Palm Jumeirah. You can see the palm shape from here.

    ≈ 100 AED per person

  4. Shopping

    Nakheel Mall

    The Palm's mall. An air-conditioned break.

    Free

  5. Food

    Bu Qtair Jumeirah

    A former fishermen's shack turned legend. Fried fish of the day, eaten standing or on stools.

    ≈ 70 AED per person
  6. 2 h · travel, break, free time

  7. Nature

    JBR The Walk & Beach

    The JBR seafront strip. Swim in winter, take an evening walk in summer, with views of Ain Dubai.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Marina Social DubaiModern menu in the Marina.
  • Ain DubaiThe world's largest observation wheel. If the weather is clear.

Day 5 · 09:30–21:00

Desert safari

  1. Culture

    Museum of the Future

    The museum of the future, a giant ring with Arabic calligraphy. Buy online tickets weeks ahead.

    ≈ 149 AED per person
  2. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Landmark

    Dubai Frame

    A golden frame separating old and new Dubai. Glass bridge, air-conditioned.

    ≈ 50 AED per person

  4. Food

    Ravi Restaurant Satwa

    Pakistani cuisine and Dubai's most famous cheap eatery. Order the dal and chicken karahi.

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

  6. Nature

    Lahbab Desert Safari

    In summer, go on an evening safari after 17:00 when the sand is hot. Show and BBQ, 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). See the world's largest carpet and chandeliers, free entry. Online registration is required; 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 in 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, with white marble and a library.

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

  8. Nature

    Abu Dhabi Corniche

    The seafront promenade. Your 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.
  • Yas Island Ferrari WorldThe world's fastest roller coaster. An alternative to the palace.

Day 7 · 09:30–14:30

Souk Madinat morning, light farewell

  1. Culture

    Alserkal Avenue

    An art gallery district in Al Quoz. Coffee and exhibitions, free.

    Free

  2. Shopping

    Karama Market

    Souvenirs and textiles. Haggle.

    Free

  3. Food

    Logma Boxpark

    A modern Emirati cafe. Try regag bread (thin Emirati flatbread) and karak tea for a farewell meal.

    ≈ 80 AED per person

  4. Landmark

    Dubai Metro Red Line Airport

    Take the metro to DXB Terminals 1-3. Farewell.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Karak House JumeirahKarak tea and Emirati breakfast. A light farewell.
  • Jameel Arts CentreContemporary art by 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 a Nol card for the metro (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. Summer brings 42-45°C and humidity: stay indoors between 10:00 and 17:00 (malls, museums, water parks). Go to the beach at 07:00 or in the evening. During Ramadan, eating and drinking in the daytime is only allowed in enclosed areas.
  3. Mosque visits require long sleeves and a headscarf; abayas are provided at Sheikh Zayed. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels and restaurants.
  4. Burj Khalifa sunset tickets sell out weeks ahead, and so do Museum of the Future tickets.
  5. Old Dubai is cheap and authentic: abra 1 AED, Al Ustad kebab 60 AED. Downtown and the Marina are expensive.
  6. A 10% tip is common. Haggling is essential in the souks: start at half the asking price.

Spending: ≈ 5,100 AED per person for 7 days

  • Food2,200 AED
  • Entry and tours2,000 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 · October–MayDubaiUAE · June–SeptemberAbu DhabiThailand · June–SeptemberBangkokHong Kong · June–SeptemberHong KongUnited Kingdom · June–SeptemberLondonFrance · June–SeptemberParisMalaysia · June–SeptemberKuala 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 729 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 08:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.

Which season is this itinerary for?

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