Ready-made trips · United Arab Emirates
Dubai in 5 days
The Burj Khalifa, the beach by the Burj Al Arab, and old Dubai’s wind-tower quarter with an abra across the Creek to the souks.
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- Length
- 5 days
- Best time
- November to March
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- None, all in the city
Five days in Dubai: Downtown Dubai; Old Dubai and the Creek; Kite Beach, Madinat Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab. Each full day is one our team has planned, to be walked in order around usual opening hours, with lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1Dubai FountainArrival
- When you arriveDubai FountainDancing water show.Tip: A large choreographed fountain show set to music, running at scheduled intervals in the evening — free to watch from the surrounding promenade.
Lunch nearby: Time Out Market Dubai or Social House
Dinner: Eataly Dubai Mall or Time Out Market Dubai
2Downtown Dubai
- MorningDubai MallLargest mall in world.Tip: One of the largest malls in the world, home to a genuine aquarium and ice rink alongside shopping — worth budgeting real time given its scale.
- AfternoonBurj KhalifaWorld’s tallest building.Tip: Book the sunset slot on level 124/125 a week ahead; it costs more but is the one worth having.
- EveningDubai OperaModern opera house.Tip: A genuinely striking dhow-shaped building hosting world-class performances — check the current schedule for a distinctive cultural evening.
Lunch nearby: Eataly Dubai Mall or Social House
Dinner: Time Out Market Dubai or Social House
3Old Dubai and the Creek
- MorningAl Fahidi Historic DistrictTraditional old Dubai.Tip: One of the oldest areas of Dubai, with genuinely well-preserved wind-tower architecture — a good, quiet contrast to the city's modern skyline.
- AfternoonAl SeefA rebuilt old-Dubai waterfront of wind towers, cafés and dhows on the Creek.Tip: Evening dhow dinner cruises leave from the waterfront.
- EveningGold and Spice SouksTraditional gold market.Tip: A traditional market genuinely packed with gold jewelry shops — a good, atmospheric stop even without buying, given the sheer visual spectacle.
Lunch nearby: Arabian Tea House or Local House
Dinner: XVA Café or Al Fanar Al Seef
4Kite Beach, Madinat Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab
- MorningKite BeachA long, free public beach with a running track and views of the Burj Al Arab.Tip: Kitesurfing lessons run from the southern end.
- AfternoonSouk Madinat JumeirahA recreated souk of canals, abras and restaurants facing the Burj Al Arab.Tip: The abra tour of the canals shows the Burj Al Arab from the water.
- If you have timeTalise SpaThe spa at Madinat Jumeirah, with private treatment pavilions by the canals.Tip: Book a late-afternoon treatment to finish in time for sunset.
Lunch nearby: Pai Thai or Bahri Bar
Dinner: Pai Thai or Bahri Bar
5A Last Morning in Old DubaiLast morning
- Before you leaveBur Dubai Grand SoukThe covered textile souk of Bur Dubai, along the Creek.Tip: Tailors here will make a shirt or dress in a day or two.
Lunch nearby: Local House or Arabian Tea House
Dinner: XVA Café or Al Fanar Al Seef
Where to stay
Downtown
The Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountain, with the metro on the doorstep.
Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro (red line) to the airport and the Marina.
Jumeirah & Umm Suqeim
Low-rise beach neighbourhoods between Downtown and the Burj Al Arab.
Taxis and buses along Jumeirah Road; no metro nearby.
Dubai Marina & JBR
Towers, yachts and the long beach of JBR, with bars and restaurants on the water.
Dubai Marina metro and tram; 40 min by metro to Downtown.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
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