Trip highlights
- 1Burj Khalifa observation deck at sunset
- 2Gold souk before 9am
- 3Desert safari with dune bashing and camp dinner
- 4Old Dubai Creek abra crossing
- 5Alserkal Avenue art district
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Downtown Spectacle
Sunday, January 10
Est. spend
$165
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Dubai International Airport, Terminal 1/3
DXB is one of the busiest airports on earth but well-organised. Take the Dubai Metro Red Line directly to Downtown (Union Station → Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall stop).
The metro costs around AED 10 ($3) to Downtown. Airport taxis are metered with a fixed AED 25 airport surcharge — expect AED 70–95 to Downtown depending on traffic. Careem/Uber show a fixed price upfront and are often cheaper.
Check in and walk Dubai Mall
Financial Centre Rd, Downtown Dubai
The world's largest mall is genuinely worth an hour of your time — the indoor aquarium (free to view from outside the tank), the waterfall, and sheer scale are spectacle.
☀️ Afternoon
Burj Khalifa At the Top (Level 124)
1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai
The world's tallest building observation deck. 828 metres, views across the desert, Gulf, and Palm Jumeirah. Book the 3pm–4pm slot for day-to-dusk views.
Book online 2–3 days ahead or pay a premium for same-day. Level 148 (SKY) is twice the price but not twice as good — Level 124 is sufficient.
🌙 Evening
Dubai Fountain show
Burj Khalifa Lake, Downtown Dubai
The world's largest choreographed fountain performs every 30 minutes after sunset on the Burj Lake. Free to watch from the lakeside boardwalk.
The 6pm show is the first of the evening — decent light. The 8:30pm show has more spectators but the lake reflection is better after full dark.
Dinner at Zuma Dubai
Gate Village Building 6, DIFC
Japanese robata-grill restaurant in DIFC — widely considered Dubai's best upscale dining experience for food rather than views.
Book at least a week ahead. The rock shrimp tempura and miso black cod are non-negotiable.
🍽️ Meals
Airport terminal food
Various · $15 · Dubai airport has decent options past immigration
Dubai Mall food court
Various · $18 · Shake Shack, local Arabic fast food, or Wagamama — all respectable
Zuma Dubai
Japanese · $85 · Per person including one drink
Historic Dubai — Creeks, Souks & Old Town
Monday, January 11
Est. spend
$65
per person
🌅 Morning
Gold Souk, Deira — early morning
Gold Souk, Sikkat Al Khail Rd, Deira
Over 300 jewellery shops in a covered arcade. Mornings before 9am are quiet — you can browse without the rush. Even if not buying, it's extraordinary.
Bargaining is expected and prices start high. A fair final price is usually 30–40% below the opening ask. Never seem too interested.
Spice Souk, Deira
Spice Souk, Al Ras, Deira
Adjacent to the Gold Souk — sacks of saffron, dried limes, frankincense, and za'atar fill the alleyways. One of the last genuinely sensory market experiences in Dubai.
Buy a small packet of Omani frankincense — costs AED 20, smells incredible, goes through customs.
☀️ Afternoon
Dubai Creek Abra crossing
Deira Old Souk Abra Station
The traditional wooden water taxis cross the creek between Deira and Bur Dubai every few minutes. AED 1 ($0.27) — the best value experience in Dubai.
You can also hire an abra for a 30-minute creek tour for about AED 100 ($27) — worth it for photos.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai
Dubai's old merchant quarter — wind-tower architecture, narrow lanes, and art galleries in restored 19th-century courtyard houses. Completely different from Modern Dubai.
The XVA Gallery and Art Hotel is worth stepping into — free to browse the gallery.
Dubai Museum
Al Fahidi St, Bur Dubai
Set in Al Fahidi Fort (1787), the oldest building in Dubai. Shows what the city looked like before oil — pearl diving, desert trade, and Bedouin life.
Only AED 3 ($0.80) entry. Small but genuinely fascinating given how recent the transformation was.
🌙 Evening
Dinner at Arabian Tea House
Al Fahidi St, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Set in an Al Fahidi courtyard, this is the most atmospheric restaurant in old Dubai — emirati breakfast plates, slow-cooked lamb, and very strong karak chai.
Try the luqaimat (fried dough balls with date syrup) for dessert.
🍽️ Meals
Arabica coffee + ka'ak
Arabic · $8 · Coffee and sesame cookies from any souk cafe — AED 15 total
Al Ustad Special Kabab, Karama
Iranian/Arabic · $12 · Dubai institution since 1978. Charcoal-grilled skewers, rice, flat bread. Cash only.
Arabian Tea House
Emirati · $30
Desert Safari & Starry Camp
Tuesday, January 12
Est. spend
$125
per person
🌅 Morning
Alserkal Avenue art district
Street 8, Al Quoz 1
Dubai's contemporary art hub in Al Quoz — warehouses converted into galleries, concept stores, and independent coffee shops. Authentically cool in a city that often isn't.
Free entry to all galleries. Third Line Gallery and Carbon 12 consistently have strong shows.
☀️ Afternoon
Desert Safari — dune bashing
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (varies by operator)
4WD convoy into the Hajar desert for dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel riding before sunset. Most operators pick up from hotel at 3pm.
Book through a licensed operator, not a tout. Platinum Heritage and Arabian Adventures are reputable. Morning safari (6am) has better light for photos.
🌙 Evening
Bedouin camp dinner under the stars
Included in safari package
Most desert safaris end with a camp dinner — Arabic mezze, grilled meats, belly dancing, and shisha under the actual stars away from city light.
The food at camp is generally average — eat light at lunch knowing this is more experience than cuisine.
🍽️ Meals
Comptoir 102, Jumeirah
Organic/French · $22 · Best breakfast in Dubai — avocado bowls and good coffee in a beach villa garden
Light hotel lunch before safari
Various · $15 · Eat light — the desert + dune bashing can be rough on a full stomach
Bedouin camp dinner
Arabic · $0 · Included in safari package
Palm Jumeirah & Marina
Wednesday, January 13
Est. spend
$150
per person
🌅 Morning
Palm Jumeirah Monorail
Palm Jumeirah Gateway Monorail Station
Take the monorail to the tip of the Palm for views of the fronds and the Atlantis hotel. The ride itself is the attraction — you can see the full palm shape from the height.
FIVE Palm Jumeirah Saturday brunch
The Palm Jumeirah
Dubai's famous Saturday brunch culture — unlimited food and drinks for a set price. The FIVE hotel on the Palm has one of the best sunset views. Saturday is now the start of the UAE weekend (Mon–Fri working week since January 2022).
Saturday brunch is the main social event in Dubai. Book ahead — fills up fast. Soft drink package saves money if you don't drink alcohol.
☀️ Afternoon
JBR Beach and The Walk
JBR Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence
Jumeirah Beach Residence's beachfront promenade — the nicest free beach in Dubai with a proper outdoor mall, beach access, and watersport hire.
Beach is free and public. Sun loungers cost about AED 100 if you want them.
🌙 Evening
Dubai Marina walk at sunset
Dubai Marina Walk
The Marina promenade at dusk with all the yachts lit up — a 7km walk or take the Dubai Tram. Very photogenic.
Dinner at Pier 7, Marina
Dubai Marina, Pier 7
Seven-storey tower with a different restaurant on each floor — from Japanese to steakhouse. Pick your view and your cuisine.
Observatory on the 7th floor has the best Marina view — go for drinks even if dining elsewhere.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Various · $0 · Most Dubai hotels include breakfast
FIVE Palm Saturday brunch
International · $90 · Counts as both lunch and drinks — skip dinner budget accordingly. Best on Saturdays.
Pier 7, Marina
Various · $50
Final Morning & Departure
Thursday, January 14
Est. spend
$75
per person
🌅 Morning
Dubai Frame, Zabeel Park
Zabeel Park, Gate 4, Zabeel
Giant picture frame 150m high — Old Dubai on one side, Modern Dubai on the other. Kitsch concept brilliantly executed. Walk across the glass floor bridge.
Best in the morning for photography. Glass walkway can make some people queasy — there's a solid section to one side if needed.
Final shopping — Dubai Mall souk section
Dubai Mall, Financial Centre Rd
The souk at the Mall of the Emirates or Dubai Mall has better-quality gifts than the tourist traps near the Gold Souk. Camel milk chocolate, oud perfume, dried dates.
Al Nassma camel milk chocolate and Bateel dates are the best edible gifts from Dubai.
☀️ Afternoon
Depart to Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Allow at least 3 hours before international departure. The metro gets you there comfortably; taxis can get stuck.
All terminals are on the Red Line — check which terminal your airline uses (T1 or T3 are most common). Emirates uses T3.
🍽️ Meals
Ravi Restaurant, Satwa
Pakistani · $8 · Dubai's most beloved cheap eat — open since 1978, AED 30 for a full breakfast
Airport lounge or restaurant
Various · $20 · Concourse C has good options including a good sushi bar
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
November to March. October and April are acceptable. May to September is very hot (45°C+) and humid — outdoor time is limited to early morning only.
🛂 Visas
Most nationalities receive a free visa on arrival valid for 30 days. UK, EU, US, Australian, Canadian passport holders: visa-free. GCC residents may have different arrangements. Always check the UAE government website for your specific nationality before travelling.
💱 Currency
UAE Dirham (AED) is pegged to the USD at 3.67. Cards are widely accepted everywhere. ATMs give AED easily. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory — 10% at restaurants is generous. Taxis round up to the nearest AED.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 999
ambulance: 998
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Dress modestly in souks, mosques, and malls — shoulders and knees covered. Swimwear only at beach and pool.
- Ramadan changes everything — eating and drinking in public during daylight is prohibited. Check dates before travelling.
- Alcohol is only served in licensed hotels and restaurants — not freely available like Western cities.
- The UAE weekend is Saturday–Sunday (changed from Fri–Sat in January 2022). Friday is a working day, but Jumu'ah prayers at 12:30–1:30pm mean many businesses briefly close. Saturday brunch is the main social institution — book ahead.
- Uber and Careem work perfectly in Dubai — often cheaper than taxis.
- The Nol card (like Suica in Tokyo) covers metro, tram, and some buses — buy at any metro station.
One thing worth not skipping
A 5-day trip to Dubai, UAE without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
Subscription-based travel medical insurance. Best for longer trips, digital nomads, or frequent travellers. Renews weekly or monthly.
Tripzeeker earns a small commission when you purchase — at no extra cost to you.
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