Dubai Itinerary: 3, 4, 5 and 7-Day Plans for Indian Travellers

How many days do you need in Dubai, and how should you plan them? Because Dubai is spread out and hot for much of the year, a good Dubai itinerary groups sights by area, keeps outdoor activities for the morning and evening, and balances big experiences with free time.

Here are practical plans for 3, 4, 5 and 7 days, based on our most popular routes, assuming you fly in from India and arrive in the morning or afternoon.

• 3 days: the highlights: city tour, Burj Khalifa and the desert safari.
• 4 to 5 days: the ideal first trip, adding a dhow cruise, Abu Dhabi and a free day for shopping or a theme park.
• 6 to 7 days: a relaxed holiday with two theme parks or beach days, a day trip to Hatta or Sharjah, and plenty of shopping.

Day 1: arrive and check in; evening dhow cruise with dinner.

Day 2: half-day city tour (Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Creek and souks), then Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain show.

Day 3: morning at the Museum of the Future or Dubai Frame; afternoon desert safari with barbecue dinner. Fly home the next day.

Follow the 3-day plan and add a full-day Abu Dhabi tour on day 4, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and either the Louvre or the BAPS Hindu Mandir. Alternatively, spend day 4 at Atlantis Aquaventure or IMG Worlds of Adventure, followed by shopping at the Gold Souk.

Day 1: arrival and dhow cruise dinner.

Day 2: city tour, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain.

Day 3: free morning for the beach or shopping; desert safari in the afternoon.

Day 4: Abu Dhabi city tour with the Grand Mosque.

Day 5: a theme park or Museum of the Future, Global Village in the evening (October to May).

Day 6: last-minute shopping and departure.

This Dubai itinerary for 5 days mirrors the first five days of our Dubai Delight package.

Add two more days to the 5-day plan:

• A day trip: Hatta for kayaking and mountains, Ras Al Khaimah for Jebel Jais, or Sharjah for museums and heritage. See our day trips from Dubai.
• A second theme park or beach day: Dubai Parks and Resorts, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, or a relaxed day at JBR or Kite Beach.
• Evenings: Dubai Marina, Bluewaters and Ain Dubai, La Perle, or a rooftop dinner.

Families can swap some sightseeing for parks: IMG Worlds, Aquaventure, Legoland or Ferrari World, plus Ski Dubai and the Dubai Aquarium on hot afternoons. Keep the desert safari, as children love the camel rides and sandboarding. See our Dubai theme parks guide.

Couples should add a beach resort stay, a sunset slot at the Burj Khalifa, a private desert dinner, a yacht cruise and perhaps a hot air balloon flight at dawn. Read our where to stay in Dubai guide for the most romantic areas.

Morning: an early visit to the Dubai Frame or a beach before 10 am. Midday: a mall, the Museum of the Future, IMG Worlds or Ski Dubai. Afternoon: rest at the hotel pool. Evening: desert safari, dhow cruise or the Dubai Fountain and dinner in Downtown. This rhythm keeps everyone comfortable even in July and August.

On a stopover, focus on Downtown and the desert: day 1, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain; day 2, a quick city tour in the morning and the desert safari in the afternoon.

• Group by area: Downtown sights together, old Dubai and the souks together, the beaches and Palm together.
• Beat the heat: outdoor sights early or late; malls and indoor parks at midday.
• Book timed tickets for the Burj Khalifa and Museum of the Future in advance.
• Check seasonal attractions: Global Village and the Miracle Garden close in summer.
• Use the metro for Downtown, the Marina and the souks.

See the best time to visit Dubai and Dubai trip cost from India.