Dubai travel guide

A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.

day1

Getting to know Dubai

An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.

Morning
Cavo Dubai
4.9· 4077 reviews
N. 78 di 12.787 Posti Dove Mangiare a Dubai
Ramee Dream Hotel 6th Floor, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti
Mon: 12:00–04:00
Cavo Dubai — rated 4.9 across 4077 reviews · N. 78 di 12.787 Posti Dove Mangiare a Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 12:00–04:00 · Ramee Dream Hotel 6th Floor, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti.
Afternoon
BLU Dubai
4.8· 1209 reviews
N. 15 di 328 Vita notturna a Dubai
260 Sheikh Zayed Rd V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Habtoor City, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti
Mon: 21:00–04:00
BLU Dubai — rated 4.8 across 1209 reviews · N. 15 di 328 Vita notturna a Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 21:00–04:00 · 260 Sheikh Zayed Rd V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Habtoor City, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti.

Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.

day2

The main sights

The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.

Morning
Billionaire Dubai
4.8· 475 reviews
N. 511 di 12.787 Posti Dove Mangiare a Dubai
Al Albaany Street Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, Dubai 0000 Emirati Arabi Uniti
Thu: 21:00–03:00
Billionaire Dubai — rated 4.8 across 475 reviews · N. 511 di 12.787 Posti Dove Mangiare a Dubai · opening hours: Thu: 21:00–03:00 · Al Albaany Street Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, Dubai 0000 Emirati Arabi Uniti.
Afternoon
Skydive Dubai
4.7· 2985 reviews
N. 207 di 3.988 Attività all'aperto a Dubai
Al Seyahi Street, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti
Mon: 08:00–14:30
Skydive Dubai — rated 4.7 across 2985 reviews · N. 207 di 3.988 Attività all'aperto a Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 08:00–14:30 · Al Seyahi Street, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti.

Up to 36 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.

day3

Museums, history and local food

A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.

Morning
Nobu Dubai
4.7· 769 reviews
N. 649 di 12.787 Posti Dove Mangiare a Dubai
Crescent Road Atlantis, The Palm, 22nd Floor, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti
Wed: 18:00–00:00
Nobu Dubai — rated 4.7 across 769 reviews · N. 649 di 12.787 Posti Dove Mangiare a Dubai · opening hours: Wed: 18:00–00:00 · Crescent Road Atlantis, The Palm, 22nd Floor, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti.
Afternoon
Go Fishing Dubai 5 hours Trolling & Regular Fishing
5.0· 164from €499
Go Fishing Dubai 5 hours Trolling & Regular Fishing — rated 5 from 164 reviews, about 5h.

Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.

day4

A day out of town

Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.

All day
Umm al-Quwain
Umm al-Quwain is 94 km from Dubai, about 1h 13m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Dubai

day5

Walking and what you missed

A free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.

Morning
Dubai Frame
4.6· 5598 reviews
N. 11 di 743 Cose da fare a Dubai
Zabeel Park zone A, gate number 4, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti
Mon: 08:00–21:00
Dubai Frame — rated 4.6 across 5598 reviews · N. 11 di 743 Cose da fare a Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 08:00–21:00 · Zabeel Park zone A, gate number 4, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti.
Afternoon
1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab Tour
5.0· 139from €147
1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab Tour — rated 5 from 139 reviews, about 1h.

Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.

day6

A tour, or a second trip out

A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.

All day
Manama
Manama is 112 km from Dubai, about 1h 23m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Dubai

day7

Last day and departure

A calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.

Morning
Dubai Marina
4.6· 1721 reviews
N. 31 di 743 Cose da fare a Dubai
Al Marsa St, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti
Dubai Marina — rated 4.6 across 1721 reviews · N. 31 di 743 Cose da fare a Dubai · Al Marsa St, Dubai Emirati Arabi Uniti.
Afternoon
Dubai: 60Min Jet Ski To Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm
5.0· 134from €135
Dubai: 60Min Jet Ski To Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm — rated 5 from 134 reviews, about 1h.