Dubai

Dubai travel guide

Driving routes, distances and day-trip ideas nearby.

Weather in the days ahead31…36 °CSunnyFull forecast

What to see in Dubai in 7 days

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

    Blu Dubai

    4.8· 1209 reviews

    Nr. 15 van 328 Nachtleven in Dubai

    Hilton, Al Habtoor City - Sheikh Zayed Rd Dubai V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Habtoor City, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Mon: 21:00–04:00

    Blu Dubai — rated 4.8 across 1209 reviews · Nr. 15 van 328 Nachtleven in Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 21:00–04:00 · Hilton, Al Habtoor City - Sheikh Zayed Rd Dubai V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Habtoor City, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • Lunch

    Cavo Dubai

    4.9· 4077 reviews

    Nr. 78 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai

    Ramee Dream Hotel 6th Floor, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Mon: 12:00–04:00

    A good lunch stop is Cavo Dubai — rated 4.9 across 4077 reviews · Nr. 78 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 12:00–04:00 · Ramee Dream Hotel 6th Floor, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • Afternoon

    Skydive Dubai

    4.7· 2985 reviews

    Nr. 207 van 3.988 Outdooractiviteiten in Dubai

    Al Seyahi Street, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Mon: 08:00–14:30

    Skydive Dubai — rated 4.7 across 2985 reviews · Nr. 207 van 3.988 Outdooractiviteiten in Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 08:00–14:30 · Al Seyahi Street, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • Evening

    Billionaire Dubai

    4.8· 475 reviews

    Nr. 511 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai

    Al Albaany Street Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, Dubai 0000 Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Thu: 21:00–03:00

    A good lunch stop is Billionaire Dubai — rated 4.8 across 475 reviews · Nr. 511 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai · opening hours: Thu: 21:00–03:00 · Al Albaany Street Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, Dubai 0000 Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

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

    Dubai Frame

    4.6· 5598 reviews

    Nr. 11 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai

    Zabeel Park zone A, gate number 4, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Mon: 08:00–21:00

    Dubai Frame — rated 4.6 across 5598 reviews · Nr. 11 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 08:00–21:00 · Zabeel Park zone A, gate number 4, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • Lunch

    Nobu Dubai

    4.7· 769 reviews

    Nr. 649 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai

    Crescent Road Atlantis, The Palm, 22nd Floor, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Wed: 18:00–00:00

    A good lunch stop is Nobu Dubai — rated 4.7 across 769 reviews · Nr. 649 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai · opening hours: Wed: 18:00–00:00 · Crescent Road Atlantis, The Palm, 22nd Floor, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • Afternoon

    Dubai Marina

    4.6· 1721 reviews

    Nr. 31 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai

    Al Marsa St, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Dubai Marina — rated 4.6 across 1721 reviews · Nr. 31 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai · Al Marsa St, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • Evening

    Huqqa Dubai

    4.4· 1074 reviews

    Nr. 447 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai

    The Dubai Mall, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Mon: 10:00–02:00

    A good lunch stop is Huqqa Dubai — rated 4.4 across 1074 reviews · Nr. 447 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 10:00–02:00 · The Dubai Mall, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

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

    Dubai Creek

    4.3· 9942 reviews

    Nr. 57 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai

    Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Dubai Creek — rated 4.3 across 9942 reviews · Nr. 57 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai · Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • Lunch

    Zuma Dubai

    4.4· 3379 reviews

    Nr. 851 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai

    Gate Village 06, Podium Level Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai 506620 Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Mon: 12:00–02:00

    A good lunch stop is Zuma Dubai — rated 4.4 across 3379 reviews · Nr. 851 van 12.787 Eetgelegenheden in Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 12:00–02:00 · Gate Village 06, Podium Level Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai 506620 Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • 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

    Ski Dubai

    4.3· 11130 reviews

    Nr. 82 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai

    Shiekh Zayed Road Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten

    Mon: 10:00–00:00

    Ski Dubai — rated 4.3 across 11130 reviews · Nr. 82 van 743 dingen om te doen in Dubai · opening hours: Mon: 10:00–00:00 · Shiekh Zayed Road Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Verenigde Arabische Emiraten.

  • 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.

Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.

Where to stay in Dubai Car rental

Day trips

Within a ~2.5h drive of Dubai.

Umm al-Quwain 94 km · 1h 13m Manama 112 km · 1h 23m Ajman 150 km · 1h 41m Abu Dhabi 124 km · 1h 17m Ras Al Khaimah 128 km · 1h 24m

Route map

Where you can drive from Dubai.

What to see and where to eat

What to see and where to eat in Dubai

Tap a place for photos, opening hours and reviews

Top attractions

Restaurants and cafés

Tours from the city

Go Fishing Dubai 5 hours Trolling & Regular Fishing

Go Fishing Dubai 5 hours Trolling & Regular Fishing

€499

1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab Tour

1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab Tour

€147

Dubai: 60Min Jet Ski To Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm

Dubai: 60Min Jet Ski To Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm

€135

Flyboard Experience in Dubai

Flyboard Experience in Dubai

€71

All tours →

Where to stay

Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai

Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai

from €128 / night

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai

from €105 / night

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort And Spa

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort And Spa

from €128 / night

Raffles The Palm

Raffles The Palm

from €161 / night

All hotels →

What travellers say about places in Dubai

Source — Tripadvisor

5 FIVE Palm JumeirahSolo travel

The best hotel in Dubai

Great hotel with a beautiful view and pool. Food is delicious and stuff is very professional and friendly. I will definitely book another vacation here
Y5762HZjana2026-08-07on Tripadvisor
5 Al Habtoor Polo ResortBusiness

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The accommodation was excellent—cleanand comfortable. Special thanks for abdelrahman

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The accommodation was excellent—clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. The food was also outstanding, with a great variety of delicious options and excellent quality. The gym was another highlight of my stay. It was clean, well-equipped, and provided everything needed for a grea…
abdelrahmank3322026-08-07on Tripadvisor
5 Jumeirah Beach HotelNONE

Best hotel

Good location near the town and all activities, atmosphere was cool and calming for the family especially the pool Room clean and to great experience and expectation
842lloydn2026-08-07on Tripadvisor
3 LEGOLAND HotelFamily

Our stay at the Legoland Resort hotel

Having stayed at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel several times, we decided to try the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel for a change. Overall, we had a good stay and the children had a fantastic time, but there were a few areas that could be improved. What we liked: ✅ Great location near LEGO MYTHICA and close to the car park. ✅ Self…
theforkandpillow2026-08-07on Tripadvisor