Planning a Dubai trip? Here's your guide for a perfect week in Dubai
- Girikrishna GP
- Oct 11, 2025
- 6 min read
Dubai is more than just a city built in the desert; it’s a vibrant fusion of Las Vegas glamour, Manhattan hustle, and the traditions of ancient Arabia. From luxury and culture to adventure activities like sandboarding at sunset, the city offers an array of experiences. If you have just one week, be ready to switch between indulgence, thrills, and extensive shopping. Here is my ideal seven-day itinerary to enjoy everything Dubai has to offer.
Day 1 – Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall & The Fountain Show
Start your experience in Downtown Dubai. It is difficult to avoid the Dubai Mall due to its sheer scale, so expansive that it includes an impressive aquarium. Guests can enjoy activities such as ice skating at the state-of-the-art rink or spend time observing the sharks and marine life on display.
When evening hits, grab a spot by the lake and watch the fountain show. The water dances, the music blares, and you’ll probably get splashed if you’re standing too close. For the grand finale? Head up the Burj Khalifa for some totally bonkers views. Pro tip: Go around sunset, the city glows, and your Instagram will thank you.
Day 2 – Desert Safari & Bedouin Vibes
Forget those shiny skyscrapers for a bit. Time to trade glass and steel for sand in your shoes and sun in your eyes. The desert’s where Dubai’s real magic hides, honestly. Out there, the dunes just roll on forever.
So here’s what you do: snag a spot on a desert safari. There are a bunch of tour companies; just pick one that doesn’t look sketchy. The real fun starts late afternoon, when they pile everyone into these beefy 4x4s. Suddenly, you’re tumbling up and over dunes, holding on for dear life. It’s less of a drive and more like a sandstorm rollercoaster. You’ll probably end up with sand in your mouth from laughing too much.
After you’ve survived dunebashing, the camels are waiting for a quick ride. And then there’s falconry, which honestly feels super old-school and classy at the same time.
When you finally roll up to the Bedouin-style camp, you’re greeted like a long-lost cousin. They’ll hand you Arabic coffee (gahwa), maybe paint some henna on your hand, and then feed you until you can’t move. Local food, BBQ, the whole shebang.
Meanwhile, belly dancers and these guys are doing wild spinning dances (tanoura). All under a sky loaded with stars. By the time you head back, you’re gonna have your phone stuffed with photos, sand permanently lodged in your sneakers, and a handful of stories you’ll probably keep telling until your friends beg you to stop.
Day 3 – Abu Dhabi Day Trip
Abu Dhabi’s just a quick 90-minute drive, jump in a car, grab a shuttle, or tag along on a guided tour if you’re feeling fancy. First stop? The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This place is massive. Everything’s so white, it practically glows, and the details, marble domes everywhere, absurdly huge crystal chandeliers, and these wild floral mosaics are truly mind-blowing. It’s not just big; it’s actually gorgeous. Don’t just walk through like you’ve got somewhere better to be.
Next up: Emirates Palace. Talk about living large. Gold on gold, marble as far as the eye can see, and they legit sprinkle gold on your cappuccino. Even if you’re not booking a room, sit down for a coffee or a bite just to soak up that over-the-top luxury. It’s like stepping into an Arabian fairytale, but with WiFi.
Still amped? Make a beeline for Ferrari World. This place is amazing, roller coasters that’ll scramble your insides and leave you laughing like a maniac. Formula Rossa is the big one, and yeah, it’s the fastest in the world. You’ll probably scream, but that’s half the fun.
Day 4 – Ibn Battuta Mall & Marina Nights
Back at it with the shopping? Yeah, but trust me, Ibn Battuta Mall isn’t your average “let’s grab a t-shirt and leave” kind of place. This spot is bonkers. It’s half shopping, half museum, and all-out eye candy. The whole thing is themed after Ibn Battuta, a legendary Moroccan traveler who traveled extensively before Google Maps was even a thing. Each corner of the mall is decked out to match the regions he travelled, such as China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Andalusia. You’ll wander under these wild Persian domes, spot Indian elephant carvings that look like they belong in some epic adventure movie, and suddenly you’re next to fake pyramids and mosaics that’ll have you reaching for your camera every five seconds.
In the late afternoon, Dubai Marina shines with a golden glow as sunlight reflects off its impressive glass towers and lavish yachts. The promenade, lined with inviting cafés, restaurants, and boutiques, invites visitors to enjoy a leisurely walk, imagine shopping for yachts, or simply relax and watch the world go by. For dining, options abound: consider Catch 22 or Baker & Spice for a casual meal, or opt for Pier 7, a unique tower home to seven restaurants, each boasting impressive marina views. It’s a memorable location to wrap up your day.
Day 5 – Miracle Garden & Global Village
Walking into Dubai Miracle Garden is like stepping into a fever dream for flower lovers. Flowers everywhere, heart-shaped tunnels, castles straight out of a fairy tale, butterflies the size of your car, and an actual Emirates A380 smothered in petals. Every few steps, you’re basically forced to stop for a photo, whether you want to or not.
Once you’ve had your fill of flowers, swap the petal parade for Global Village. Now this place? Total sensory overload in the best way. It’s like a world tour, minus the jet lag. Food stalls everywhere, Turkish kebabs that’ll ruin regular street food for you, Thai noodles, African drums echoing in the background, European candy you probably can’t pronounce. The whole place hums with music, sizzling grills, and that smell? Impossible to describe, but trust me, your stomach will do the walking.
Wear shoes you can actually walk in, come hungry, and just assume your wallet’s going to be lighter by the end of the night. Souvenirs have a way of following you home.
Day 6 – Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis & Burj Al Arab Views
Hop on the Palm Monorail to Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s iconic man-made island that actually looks like a palm tree from above. The ride itself offers stunning views of the coastline and skyline, giving you a sense of how ambitious this city really is.
Once you arrive, go straight to Atlantis, The Palm. That place is basically Dubai’s idea of “go big or go home.” You want water slides? Hit up Aquaventure and get tossed around like a ragdoll. More into chill vibes? The Lost Chambers Aquarium is all mysterious. Are you looking for Food? If you’re feeling fancy, go for a celebrity-chef spot and drop way too much on dinner, or just wander the private beach and get that perfect sunset shot. You know you want it.
When you’ve soaked up enough Atlantis glitz, bounce over to Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It’s this wild mashup of old-school Arabian market vibes with canals, wooden beams, and lanterns everywhere, super moody, almost like you’ve wandered onto a movie set.
Day 7 – Dubai Frame & Farewell
Last day! Time to have one ultimate "wow" before you close up shop. Begin with the Dubai Frame, and trust us, yes, it's literally an enormous picture frame, but one that tells the city's story at a glance. From the upper level, you have old Dubai on one side, low-rise communities, busy souks, historic mosques, and new Dubai on the other, all glass and sparkle. It's the ultimate metaphor for how far this city has come. The glass floor sky deck provides a bit of an adrenaline rush (and perhaps some panicky laughs) when walking across it 150 meters up.
Then, squeeze in some late shopping. Mall of the Emirates is the place to be if you're feeling like shopping the high-end brands or simply observing people ski indoors at Ski Dubai because, well, only in Dubai. If you're feeling cold, head to City Walk, whose fashion-forward cafés, concept stores, and outdoor art installations make even a casual drive-by appear stylish.
After sundown, proceed to La Mer Beach for your last stop. Enjoy dinner by the beach as the city lights come up behind you. The ocean breeze, the gurgling sounds of the seashore, and the orange-pink hues over the Arabian Gulf create an out-of-a-movie farewell.
Watch the sun set over the water, swoon dramatically, and promise yourself you'll come back because when Dubai claims a piece of you, you won't want to leave.
Final Thoughts
Dubai is truly mesmerizing. One minute you’re haggling in a souk, the next you’re staring up at the world’s tallest tower. The city never sits still, and neither will you. Whether you’re here for the bling, the thrills, or just to say you’ve done it, your week will be jam-packed. And odds are, you’ll barely scratch the surface. That’s Dubai for you.
Continue navigating The ScreenLight for more such recommendations.
