7 Days in Dubai: A Complete Week-Long Itinerary (With Abu Dhabi + Desert)

If you want to experience Dubai without feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or stuck in traffic half the trip, 7 days in Dubai is the sweet spot. A full week lets you slow down, experience multiple sides of the city, hotel-hop intentionally, and still fit in the desert and Abu Dhabi without burnout.

This itinerary is summarized on purpose. Each day gives you a clear plan without micromanaging every hour, and I link out to deeper guides where it makes sense so you can customize based on your interests and energy level.

At a Glance: How This Week Flows

• Day 1: Dubai Marina or Abu Dhabi

• Day 2: Downtown Dubai icons

• Day 3: Old Dubai → Resort check-in

• Day 4: Full resort day (Atlantis or Ritz-Carlton)

• Day 5: Desert drive + Bab Al Shams

• Day 6: Full desert day at Bab Al Shams

• Day 7: Abu Dhabi (if not done earlier) or slow desert morning

Before You Go

Dubai is extremely easy once you’re there. You’ll use almost no cash, tipping is light, and Apple Pay works nearly everywhere. One thing to know: restaurants often don’t offer tap water, so carrying your own during the day is normal.

For everything else—customs, dress expectations, transportation tips, and common first-timer mistakes—check out my full Dubai Travel Guide: Everything to Know Before Visiting.

Where to Stay This Week

• Dubai Marina (1–2 nights):
  Base yourself at Millennium Place Marina Dubai. It’s walkable, well-located, and ideal for arrival days. If you want a convenient home base, you can read my blog Millennium Place Marina Dubai or browse if you are ready to book you can do that here.

• Resort Stay (2 nights):
  Primary: Atlantis The Palm
  Secondary: The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, JBR
  Atlantis is immersive and iconic. The Ritz-Carlton is calmer, beachfront, and relaxed. You can read my full review of Ritz-Carlton Dubai Jumeirah and Atlantis The Palm Dubai Review if you want to compare locations or pricing then you can book them here.

• Desert Stay (2 nights):
  Bab Al Shams Desert Resort — the perfect way to slow the trip down at the end. If you want to lock this in early, you can check availability for Bab Al Shams here. If you want the full breakdown then you can read my full review of Bab Al Shams Desert Resort.

Day 1: Choose Your Start

Option A: Dubai Marina + JBR

Breakfast

• Baker & Spice – elevated café vibes on the promenade

• Jones the Grocer – polished classics

• Or keep it easy with your hotel breakfast

Daytime

• Walk the marina waterfront

• Pop into Pier 7 for views only

• Continue toward JBR Beach

Dinner

• Marina or JBR waterfront dining for something easy

• Or Pierchic if you’re ready for a special-occasion night

For a deeper breakdown of this area, see my Dubai Marina Walk Guide.

Option B: Abu Dhabi Day Trip

If you land early and want to maximize your week, Abu Dhabi works surprisingly well on Day 1.

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (early visit)

• Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

• Emirates Palace grounds

• Observation Deck at 300

• Qasr Al Watan + Palace in Motion show

You can return to Dubai late or stay overnight and rejoin this itinerary on Day 2. Read my full guide to One Perfect Day in Abu Dhabi From Dubai for information about Abu Dhabi.

Day 2: Downtown Dubai Icons

Breakfast (Downtown)

• Baker & Spice at Souk Al Bahar

• Armani/Deli inside Burj Khalifa

• Folly at Madinat Jumeirah for something scenic

Morning

• Museum of the Future (photo stop or inside)

• Dubai Frame (best early morning)

Lunch

• CÉ LA VI (read my full blog about this amazing restaurant here)

  • Business lunch on weekdays

  • À la carte on weekends

Afternoon

• Burj Khalifa VIP Experience

• Wander Dubai Mall and see the aquarium views

Evening

• Dubai Fountain Show (free, every 30 minutes after dark)

• Optional quick stop at Zabeel Palace before sunset

If you’re debating whether the Burj Khalifa VIP level is worth it, learn more in my Burj Khalifa VIP Experience: Is It Worth It?

Day 3: Old Dubai → Resort Check-In

Breakfast

• Arabian Tea House

• XVA Café

Morning

• Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

• Abra ride across Dubai Creek

Late Morning

• Wander Al Seef

• Shop Old Baladiya Street for traditional clothing, teas, and gifts

Everything you need to know about getting to Old Dubai you can read here.

Midday

• Check into Atlantis The Palm (primary) or Ritz-Carlton JBR (secondary)

Afternoon

• Pool or beach time

• At Atlantis, this is a great time for the aquarium

Dinner

• Ossiano (inside Atlantis) — even non-seafood lovers should consider the vegetarian tasting menu

Day 4: Full Resort Day (Atlantis or Ritz-Carlton)

This is your do-nothing day—and yes, that’s the assignment. Overachievers will struggle here ha ha.

Morning

• Resort breakfast

• Beach or pool time

Midday

• Casual lunch on property

• Spa, marine experiences, or waterpark (Atlantis)

Evening

• Sunset walk or drinks

• Flexible dinner on-property or nearby

Day 5: Desert Drive + Bab Al Shams

Morning

• Depart the resort and head toward the desert

• Do a desert drive tour with dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel time

To keep logistics simple, you can book a half-day desert drive tour here, which works perfectly with this transition day.

Lunch

• Traditional lunch in the desert or upon arrival to Bab Al Shams

Afternoon

• Check into Bab Al Shams (read my full guide on Bab Al Shams here)

• Pool time and relaxation

Late Afternoon

• Complimentary camel ride and falcon experience

Dinner

• Al Hadheerah — food, music, and live performances

Day 6: Full Desert Day at Bab Al Shams

Morning

• Breakfast at Zala

• Slow start: pool, spa, walks, or lounging

Midday

• Lunch at the resort

Afternoon

• Optional second desert activity or complete downtime

Dinner

• Ninive Bab Al Shams — relaxed, atmospheric, and perfect for your final desert night

Day 7: Choose Your Ending

Option A: Abu Dhabi (If You Didn’t Do It Earlier)

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

• Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

• Emirates Palace grounds

• Observation Deck at 300

• Qasr Al Watan + Palace in Motion show

For planning details, see my Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Guide before you go.

Option B: Slow Desert Morning

• Late breakfast at Zala

• Final pool time

• Easy departure

Final Thoughts

Spending 7 days in Dubai gives you space to enjoy the city instead of racing through it. This itinerary balances modern highlights, cultural neighborhoods, resort luxury, and a true desert escape—while keeping the flow realistic and the pacing comfortable. It’s the kind of trip that lets Dubai show off why people love it once they experience it for themselves.