If you’re searching for a perfect 5-day Dubai itinerary to make the most out of your trip, you’re in the right place!
Dubai has unexpectedly become one of my favorite places I’ve visited, and I’m excited to bring you this detailed 5-day Dubai itinerary. Dubai is a city where luxury meets tradition, where skyscrapers stand tall beside ancient markets. It’s a perfect blend of culture, innovation, and extravagance. That makes Dubai a destination that promises an unforgettable experience for every traveler.
Dubai is often a hit or miss for many people, as some really enjoy the urban landscapes, while the others don’t like the “fake” look of the city.
Read more >>> 9 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING DUBAI
In this guide, I will tell you why Dubai deserves a spot on your travel bucket list. I’ll also tell you what’s the best time to visit, and share a detailed Dubai itinerary for five days packed with adventure and discovery. By the end, you’ll know if you’re the right person to visit Dubai!
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WHERE IS DUBAI?
Dubai is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). You can easily reach it from any bigger international airport and fly to Dubai International Airport (DXB). DXB is one of the busiest airports in the world so you’ll definitely find a perfect flight for you. We’ve travelled from Budapest to Dubai, and the flight took around 5.5 hours.
WHERE TO STAY IN DUBAI?
Dubai is a huge city with plenty of accommodation choices. Because of that, it might be tricky to find the best one for you. There’s everything from budget-friendly hostels to the most luxurious types of hotels in the world.
The important thing before choosing where to stay is to figure out your priorities on this trip. According to them, you’ll choose the best part of the city to stay at. We personally really loved staying at Barsha Heights neighborhood. Our hotel was Ramada by Wyndham and we spent the most amazing week there. I would absolutely recommend them!
WHY VISIT DUBAI?
Dubai is an iconic city, offering the best of the best when it comes to landmarks, luxurious accommodations, and diverse experiences. I could go on and on about why you should visit Dubai, but here are just a few reasons why Dubai should be at the top of your travel bucket list!
Firstly, Dubai has some of the most iconic landmarks which you won’t find anywhere else. From the towering Burj Khalifa to the magnificent Palm Jumeirah, Dubai is home to many architectural marvels.
Secondly, you need to experience the blend of cultures that coexist harmoniously in Dubai. You can explore traditional souks, visit historic sites like Al Fahidi Fort, and immerse yourself in Emirati hospitality and traditions.
Next, if you’re into luxury experiences, you’ll have the time of your life in Dubai. There are so many luxury shopping opportunities at designer boutiques you will love. You can also relax on pristine private beaches, and dine at world-class restaurants offering cuisine from around the globe. Dubai truly caters to those with a taste for the finer things in life. If you can afford it, Dubai will blow your mind.
Read more >>> 10 BEST ACTIVITIES IN DUBAI YOU’LL LOVE
And finally, maybe my favorite reason of all, Dubai is a city of year-round sunshine. With its warm climate and minimal rainfall, Dubai is a year-round destination. It’s perfect for soaking up the sun and enjoying outdoor adventures. There are certain times when it’s best to skip Dubai due to extremely high temperatures though. More on that in a bit.
WHEN TO VISIT DUBAI?
While you can go to Dubai throughout the year, the best time to visit is during the winter months. From November to March the weather is mild and pleasant. During these months conditions for outdoor activities and sightseeing are ideal. The temperatures are great, ranging from the mid-20s to low 30s Celsius (70s to 80s Fahrenheit). This is also the peak tourist season, so book accommodations and activities in advance.
During summer months, it’s not really recommended to visit Dubai because of the scorching temperatures. In July and August, the temperatures range from 38°C to 42°C (100°F to 108°F), and sometimes even higher. Additionally, humidity levels can be quite high, making the heat feel even more intense. If you’re visiting during these months, please keep hydrated and stay indoors as much as possible.
HERE’S YOUR ULTIMATE 5-DAY DUBAI ITINERARY:
If you have 5 days to spend in Dubai, here’s the perfect 5-day Dubai itinerary for you. It won’t disappoint you!
DAY 1 – EXPERIENCE OLD DUBAI
OLD DUBAI
Old Dubai is one of the first locations in this city you need to have on your Dubai itinerary. Visiting Old Dubai offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the city. The rest of your trip will be skyscrapers and modern buildings, so start your exploring with some traditional locations.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Start your day at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. This area is one of the oldest heritage sites in Dubai, featuring traditional wind-tower architecture and narrow alleyways. There, you can explore the Dubai Museum, housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, to learn about the city’s history and see artifacts from its past.
Al Seef
If you want to see a more touristic part of the Old Dubai, continue to Al Seef. Al Seef is a vibrant waterfront district in Dubai. It offers a blend of traditional Emirati architecture, modern amenities, and cultural experiences. It perfectly blends in the Old Dubai although it’s a modern reconstruction of ancient Arabian villages.
At Al Seef you can enjoy shopping, eating and various restaurants, and strolls along the waterfront with gorgeous panoramic views of Dubai Creek. You’ll also find the famous Dubai Starbucks there!
Deira
Deira is one of the oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods in Dubai, located in the eastern part of the city along the Dubai Creek. To reach it, take the traditional wooden boat abra to cross the Dubai Creek into Deira. The boat ride costs 1AED (25 cents). Leave a bit more as the price really is ridiculously cheap, and the experience is great!
In Deira we visited Dubai’s souks. Souks are traditional Arab markets. Moreover, they are vibrant hubs of commerce and culture. People there come to buy and sell a wide variety of goods, including spices, textiles, jewelry, handicrafts. Although there are many souks in Dubai, we visited the two most popular ones – Gold Souk and Spice Souk.
Both the Gold and Spice Souk are a great cultural experience. The Gold Souk is famous for its dazzling displays of gold jewelry. You will be greeted with rows of shop windows filled with glittering gold creations. I swear, it’s like nothing you’ve seen before.
The Spice Souk, on the other hand, is a sensory delight! There are stalls overflowing with an array of spices, herbs, dried fruits, nuts, and traditional medicinal products. You’ll see a variety of colors, textures, and fragrances as you wander through the market. The souks are one of the experiences on your Dubai itinerary you’ll definitely remember.
Remember to try bargaining! They usually inflate the prices because they know there are plenty of tourists around, but with some bargaining you can bring the prices down to something reasonable.
THE PALM
The Palm is a man-made island in Dubai. It is located off the coast of Dubai and is shaped like a palm tree, hence its name. Although it is one of several artificial islands created in Dubai, it’s definitely the most popular one. The Palm is home to many luxurious residential properties, including beachfront villas, apartments, and hotels. In fact, the most popular hotel in Dubai – Atlantis, is situated right there at The Palm.
There are plenty of things you can do there, but here are the two most popular attractions we visited and loved!
The View at the Palm
The View is a spectacular observation deck located at the top of The Palm Tower, which is situated at the heart of the Palm Jumeirah. While making our own Dubai itinerary, I absolutely fell in love with the view from the top of this gorgeous viewpoint, so it was a must visit for us.
The View is located on the 52nd floor of The Palm Tower, offering panoramic views of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai skyline, and the Arabian Gulf. It’s got a 360-degree observation deck with some of the most stunning views in Dubai. Along with the gorgeous views, at the top you can see an exhibit showcasing the construction of the island, as well as stop for a drink and a quick bite at the Skyline Bar. Who wouldn’t want to have a drink with that view?
The entrance ticket to The View starts at 25 euros and can go up to 45 euros, depending on the time of the visit. Early afternoon time slots are 25 euros, while sunset hours are the most expensive ones.
The Lost Chambers Aquarium
In the stunning Atlantis hotel, there’s an extraordinary aquarium called The Lost Chambers Aquarium. It was one of the first activities we booked as the pictures online looked marvelous. The Lost Chambers is an aquarium that recreates the lost city of Atlantis, and gives you an extraordinary experience of seeing the different fish species swim around the “ancient ruins” of Atlantis.
The aquarium is stunning and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you’re visiting it with children. We booked our tickets on Get Your Guide – I’m leaving them below.
If you have extra time and money, along with the aquarium you can enjoy yourself at one of the biggest and most famous aqua parks – Atlantis Aquaventure. The has some of the best and most thrilling waterslides in the world! Our Dubai itinerary only included the aquarium, but the aqua park looked fun!
DAY 2 – A DAY FOR MODERN SKYSCRAPERS
DUBAI MALL
Start your second day at the Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world by total area. The Dubai Mall covers a vast area of over 13 million square feet so in there you’ll find over 1,200 retail outlets and entertainment options, including a massive indoor ice-skating rink, a cinema complex with multiple screens, an indoor theme park, and an aquarium and underwater zoo.
Make sure you have at least 3-4 hours to explore the enormous mall, because it really deservers plenty of time. You can shop at some of the best stores in the world, eat delicious food, and you’ll get incredible view of Burj Khalifa at many of the restaurant terraces.
Connected to the mall is Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping and dining destination offering a more traditional marketplace experience if you get bored of the modern scenery. Definitely don’t skip this part in your Dubai itinerary.
PALACE HOTEL
One of the most prominent luxury hotels near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is The Palace Downtown Dubai. It’s a short walk from Burj Khalifa, and although many people can’t afford to stay there, the entrance to the hotel is an absolutely gorgeous back drop for incredible pictures with Burj Khalifa. No matter if you visit it during the day or night, this is one of the best places to take photos in Dubai!
BURJ KHALIFA
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and you’ll find it in Dubai Mall’s backyard. This is one of the most important landmarks in Dubai and I already know it’s on your Dubai itinerary. Standing at a height of 828 meters (2,717 feet), Burj Khalifa offers two observation decks. If you’re not afraid of heights, you can enjoy panoramic views of Dubai and beyond from these two observation points.
The tickets to Burj Khalifa are not cheap, but if you love a good view, it’s worth it! For decks 124 & 125 you can buy tickets starting at around 40 euros. For deck 148 you’ll need to cash out up to 100 euros.
DUBAI FOUNTAIN SHOW
After exploring the tallest building in the world, enjoy one of the best shows nearby. Right next to the mall and Burj Khalifa is the Dubai Fountain, one of the world’s largest choreographed fountains. Here you can see daily shows with water jets choreographed to music and illuminated by lights, attracting hordes of tourists each day.
The fountain show at the Dubai Mall is one of the most iconic attractions in the city and it’s a must visit. It is situated on the man-made Burj Khalifa Lake, right outside the mall. The access to the show is completely free, so while that’s great, prepare for quite big crowds.
Every tourist has this fountain show in their Dubai itinerary. If you’re not a fan of crowds and you’re interested in an enhanced experience of the fountain show, some venues offer paid experiences such as dinner packages with prime views of the fountain.
Tip – How to grab the first row for the fountain show?
Right at the end of the show (for example a show which starts at 6:30 is finished by 6:40) grab a place with a great view and wait for the next one (which starts at 7:00). You’ll have to spend some time waiting, but it’s worth the view, I promise!
DUBAI MARINA
End your night at the most exclusive neighborhood in Dubai. Dubai Marina is a vibrant waterfront community located in Dubai. It’s built around a man-made canal, offering both residents and tourists incredible luxurious waterfront apartments and hotels with stunning views of the marina.
The heart of this neighborhood is the Marina Walk – a popular pedestrian promenade that stretches along the waterfront, lined with cafes, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. I was absolutely stunned with the insane views you get here, and the dinners are really special with a view like this one.
Even if you’re not interested in dinner, make sure you come for a drink and enjoy the gorgeous skyscrapers and stunning waterfront.
DAY 3 – A DAY IN NATURE
GREEN PLANET
Use your morning to visit one of my favorite activities in Dubai. Green Planet is a ZOO in a bio-dome which mimics the animals’ natural habitat. In this man-made rainforest, animals are free to lounge and roam around, which makes it much more animal friendly than regular ZOOs. Green Planet has 4 levels, you start at the top where you enjoy birdwatching, all the way to the basement where the nocturnal animals can be found.
We’ve marveled at the sights of sloths sleeping and eating, birds flying over our heads, and even witnessed a man-made storm with rain and thunder to make it more “rainforest-y” for the animals.
The tickets to the Green Planet are around 38 euros, and this place is absolutely worth that price. You can buy them on their website or on GetYourGuide below!
DESERT SAFARI
Another exciting activity you MUST do while in Dubai is the Desert Safari tour. These tours usually last up to 8 hours, so make sure you have the whole afternoon and evening free for this! Don’t worry, you definitely won’t regret it.
Our desert safari included hotel pick-up and drop-off, an exciting ride over the sand dunes, sand surfing and a camel ride at the camp, and finally dinner and a show at the end of the tour.
This was one of the best experiences we’ve had, and it was pretty cheap – around 30 euros for 8 hours of fun. We booked our tour on Get Your Guide, I’m leaving you with the same tour below!
DAY 4 – ABU DHABI
THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most iconic landmarks in Abu Dhabi, and it’s a place you must visit if you’re in Dubai. You can reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai by taxi, bus, or private transfer. We booked a private transfer in our hotel, and it was absolutely worth seeing one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
The mosque is known for its breathtaking architecture. The stunning white marble exterior is adorned with intricate floral designs and calligraphy, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. There are four minarets surrounding the main dome, each standing at a height of over 100 meters (330 feet). These minarets are adorned with intricate detailing and serve both functional and decorative purposes.
This stunning mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors, offering guided tours to showcase its architectural and cultural significance. You can enter it for free, but make sure you book a time slot for your entrance at their official website.
Keep in mind that to enter you have to dress modestly and respect the religious customs and practices observed within the mosque. That means that women have to be completely covered, including the hair. Men do not have to cover their hair but everything else applies to them as well.
FERRARI WORLD
If you like adrenaline and fast rides, you shouldn’t miss Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. Ferrari World is a famous theme park located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and it is heaps of fun if you’re into something like that.
It is the first Ferrari-branded theme park in the world and is known for its thrilling rides, attractions, and experiences centered around the iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, Ferrari. The most popular ride at the theme park is Formula Rossa, a ride that takes you from 0 to 240 km/h in less than 5 seconds. This is also the fastest ride in the world!
To visit Ferrari World, you need to buy a ticket for around 90 euros, and you’ll have the most thrilling day in your life!
DAY 5 – DAY OF RELAXING
BEACH TIME – JBR BEACH
One of the best things you can do in Dubai is go to the beach. If you’re visiting Dubai from February to April, you’ll have incredible weather for both exploring Dubai and enjoying the beaches.
The beach we enjoyed thoroughly was JBR Beach – a popular public beach located in the Jumeirah Beach Residence area. It is the most well-known beach in Dubai, offering a wide range of amenities and activities for everyone.
The beach stretches along the coastline of the Arabian Gulf, so you’ll have stunning views of the sea and the iconic Dubai skyline. With soft white sand and clear blue waters, this beach is the perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports activities.
GLOBAL VILLAGE
Afternoon and evening spend at the Global Village. Global Village is an attraction you will absolutely love. Not only is it incredible, but it’s also super cheap. Global Village is a unique cultural and entertainment destination located in Dubai. It is a sprawling outdoor theme park that showcases the cultures, traditions, and cuisines of various countries around the world.
There are several pavilions representing different countries, each offering a glimpse into their culture through displays, performances, and authentic cuisine. You can explore these pavilions, shop for traditional handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment ranging from music and dance to theater performances.
Beside the pavilions, there are plenty of other entertainment attractions such as the stage with performers, carnival rides, and arcade games. The park typically operates during the cooler months of the year, from November to April so make sure to check if it’s open on the dates of your visit. You can book tickets on the spot at the ticket center, they’re around 7 euros!
I hope this 5-day Dubai itinerary will give you some additional inspiration while planning your own. You’re going to love Dubai!
