Dubai has become a popular destination in the last couple of decades owing to the many breathtaking attractions that have sprouted. Millions of tourists visit this Emirati jewel to see its jaw-dropping skyscrapers, incredible shopping malls, fantastic museums, and vast deserts. While a trip to Dubai is possible in 3-4 days if you want to spend around a week in this city, here is a tailor-made itinerary in which you can explore its many gems.

Day 1: Old Dubai

Start your first day in Dubai by learning a little about the city’s past. Visit the Al Bastakiya Quarter, which takes you back to the ancient days before the oil boom. You can see houses made of sand, teak, coral, stone, gypsum, and palm fronds. Explore the art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. The Dubai Museum, Coffee Museum, and Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding are great places to learn about the culture and tradition of the city. You can stop for lunch at Arabian Tea House, one of the well-known eateries in this neighborhood.

Next, hop on the “Abra” wooden boat and cross the lovely Dubai Creek. This saltwater creek divides the city into Deira and Bur Dubai and used to serve as an important way for the region’s trade. Spend your early evening visiting the traditional markets, including the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. This is a fantastic place to shop for local souvenirs such as tea, dates, spices, dry fruits, perfumes, footwear, etc.

You can go for a dhow cruise dinner in the evening, enjoy spectacular live entertainment, and gorge on a lavish buffet dinner.

Day 2: Downtown Dubai

Commence your day at the magnificent Dubai Mall. It has more than 1200 stores to satisfy all your shopping cravings. It is also home to several entertainment attractions, including an aquarium, KidZania, an ice rink, and a virtual reality theme park.

Post lunch, you can visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo which takes you to the mysterious underwater world. See a plethora of captivating animals such as sharks, piranhas, otters, stingrays, giant crabs, and a King Croc. After that, you can visit VR Park or spend some time at the ice rink learning a skill or two about ice skating.

In the evening, visit the glorious engineering marvel Burj Khalifa next to the mall. Head to the observation deck on the 124th or 148th floor and enjoy sweeping views of the city. You can also see important landmarks like Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina from telescopes.

You can feast your eyes on the captivating Dubai Fountain below the mall. This choreographed fountain system throws water 500 feet into the air and is a beautiful spectacle accompanied by lights and music. You can have dinner at the At. Mosphere inside Burj Khalifa. Alternatively, you can enjoy a nice meal at one of the restaurants in the mall.

Day 3: Love Lake

The Love Lakes at Al Qadra is a recent addition to the ever-growing list of Dubai attractions. You can book a full-day tour to experience this beautiful lake right in the middle of the desert.

It was built to promote eco-tourism in the city and is shaped like two interlinking hearts. This artificial Al Qadra Love Lake is one of the most loved spots in the city, especially with couples. It is also one of the most instagrammable places and offers beautiful vistas.

You can enjoy an array of activities here. Watch a magical sunset, go on a bicycle ride, enjoy a delicious BBQ with loved ones, and pitch a tent to spend the night under the enchanting night sky. It is also ideal to see incredible wildlife like oryx, gazelles, flamingos, rabbits, black swans, ducks, eagles, etc.

Day 4: Dubai Frame, Ain Dubai & Dubai Marina

Start your day by visiting the majestic Dubai Frame located at Zabeel Park. It resembles a massive picture frame and is 150 meters high and 93-meter wide. The view from the connecting bridge on the top is stunning, with areas such as Deira and Karama on one side and Burj Khalifa and Emirates Tower on the other side.

Next, visit Ain Dubai, a giant Ferris wheel that stands on the artificial Bluewater Island. It is touted to be one of the largest observation wheels globally. Ain Dubai consists of 48 glass capsules that offer splendid views of the entire city.

In the evening, visit the Dubai Marina, the most bustling neighborhood in the city. The 7-kilometer-long promenade is flanked by shopping malls, hotels, retail outlets, restaurants, and nightclubs. It is the perfect place to spend your evening and experience its vibrant nightlife. It also has many prominent landmarks like Jumeirah Beach, The Marina Walk, and Dubai Marina Mall.

Day 5: Dubai Parks & Resorts

The Dubai Parks & Resorts is a one-stop-shop for all the fantastic theme parks and water parks. Your first stop is Motiongate, which has several rides based on famous Hollywood movies like Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, Green Hornet, Hotel Transylvania, and Ghostbusters.

Next, you can visit the iconic Bollywood Park, which is a one of its kind theme parks globally. It pays tribute to the larger-than-life movie industry based in Mumbai. You can enjoy rides based on well-known movie characters like Don and Krishh, watch musicals in Raj Mahal Theatre, learn about the filmmaking process, and see what goes on behind the scenes.

You can visit Legoland and build masterpieces with colorful blocks in the evening. Alternatively, you can also visit the Legoland waterpark.

Day 6: Jumeirah Mosque & Desert Safari

Begin your day by visiting the striking Jumeirah Mosque. This is one of the few mosques that allow non-Muslims too, and you can opt for a guided tour to get some insight into Islamic culture.

After lunch, book a desert safari and venture into the heart of the rich Arabian sands. You can try several activities like falconry, quad biking, camel riding, dune bashing, sandboarding, henna painting, etc. Enjoy mesmerizing cultural performances like Tanura Dance and Belly Dance and end your evening with a scrumptious BBQ buffet dinner.

Day 7: Aquaventure Waterpark & Palm Jumeirah

Your first stop for the day is the colossal Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark. It offers many thrilling rides that are perfect for getting your adrenaline pumping.

In the evening, you can see the remarkable Palm Jumeirah, another example of brilliant engineering. It is filled with restaurants, boutiques, bars, and more and is an excellent way to end your evening.

Conclusion

Other attractions in the city include Ski Dubai, Wild Wadi Water park, Global Village, Miracle Garden, and Kite Beach. You can also book a day trip to Abu Dhabi if you have time on your hands. Depending on the month of your travel, you can tweak the itinerary and include places you want to see.