If you’re planning your very first trip to the UAE and want to make the most of your time, this one-week travel plan is tailored just for you. This 7-day itinerary for first-time visitors to Dubai and Abu Dhabi will guide you through the perfect mix of modern metropolis, cultural heritage, beach-leisure and capital-city grandeur. UAE Trip Guide, a Dubai-based travel intelligence platform, delivers real-time itineraries, verified bookings, and insider tips through Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Their expertly curated, user-first content ensures you experience both emirates efficiently, authentically, and without missing a beat. With a balanced schedule, you’ll explore iconic landmarks, absorb local culture and still have time to relax and shop.
Pre-Trip Essentials: Get Ready for the UAE
Before you land, prepare for a seamless journey:
- Visa: 90-day visa-on-arrival for 80+ nationalities (check UAE e-Visa portal).
- Currency: UAE Dirham (AED); 1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED (fixed rate).
- SIM Card: Pick up a Du or Etisalat tourist SIM at DXB (AED 99 for 10GB).
- Apps: Download Visit Dubai, Careem, Nol Card, and Google Translate (Arabic).
- Dress Code: Modest attire in heritage sites and malls; beachwear only at beaches and pools.
- Best Time to Visit: November–March (24–30°C); avoid June–August (40–45°C).
READ ALSO: 10 Unforgettable Tourist Attractions to Visit in Dubai
Day 1: Arrival in Dubai – Downtown & Skyline Immersion
Morning (Arrival)
Land at Dubai International Airport (DXB) — one of the world’s busiest hubs. Use Smart Gates if eligible (faster immigration). Your private transfer (pre-booked via UAE Trip Guide) awaits at arrivals.
Afternoon (Check-In & Dubai Mall)
Check into your Downtown Dubai hotel — recommended: Address Sky View (sky bridge infinity pool) or Armani Hotel Dubai (inside Burj Khalifa).
Head to Dubai Mall (5-min walk or hotel shuttle):
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo — walk through the 48m tunnel.
- VR Park — try virtual dune bashing.
- Souk-style shopping — luxury brands + local designers.
Evening (Burj Khalifa & Fountain Show)
Ascend Burj Khalifa At the Top (Levels 124–125) at 5:00 PM (sunset slot — book 60 days in advance).
Dine at Souk Al Bahar — try Al Hallab for Lebanese grilled meats or Time Out Market for global street food.
End with the Dubai Fountain show (every 30 mins, 6:00 PM–11:00 PM) — best view from Apple Store balcony (free).
Stay: Downtown Dubai
Day 2: Modern Marvels & Palm Jumeirah
Morning (JBR & Ain Dubai)
Breakfast at The Beach, JBR with Burj Al Arab views. Stroll the JBR promenade — street art, pop-up markets, and Ain Dubai (world’s tallest observation wheel).
Book a 30-minute ride (AED 130) — panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Bluewaters Island.
Afternoon (Palm Jumeirah)
Drive (or take Palm Monorail) to Palm Jumeirah.
Lunch at The Pointe — waterfront dining with Atlantis fountain views.
Visit Atlantis The Palm:
- The Lost Chambers Aquarium — 65,000 marine animals.
- Aquaventure Beach — free access with day pass.
Evening (Sunset & Dinner)
Sunset at Palm West Beach — golden hour over the Gulf.
Dinner at Nobu (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) or 101 Dining Lounge (yacht club vibes).
Stay: Palm Jumeirah or JBR
Day 3: Old Dubai & Cultural Roots
Morning (Dubai Creek & Souks)
Take Dubai Metro (Green Line) to Al Ghubaiba (AED 7.50).
Cross Dubai Creek via abra boat (AED 1) — 5-minute journey with skyline views.
Explore Deira:
- Spice Souk — saffron, frankincense, dried limes.
- Gold Souk — 300+ shops, world’s largest gold ring on display.
Afternoon (Al Fahidi Historic District)
Walk to Al Fahidi (Al Bastakiya) — restored wind-tower homes.
Visit:
- Dubai Museum (in Al Fahidi Fort) — pre-oil Dubai dioramas.
- SMCCU — join a heritage lunch (AED 120) with Emirati host.
- Coin Museum — ancient currency.
- XVA Gallery & Café — Arabic coffee in a courtyard.
Evening (Dinner & Cruise)
Dinner at Arabian Tea House — traditional courtyard setting.
Optional: Dhow Cruise on Dubai Creek (AED 150) — dinner, live music, illuminated skyline.
Stay: Downtown or Bur Dubai
Day 4: Desert Safari Adventure
Full Day (Evening Desert Safari)
Pickup at 2:30 PM from your hotel.
3:45–4:30 PM – Dune bashing in a 4×4 (30–45 mins).
4:30 PM – Sandboarding down 100m dunes.
5:00 PM – Camel ride to sunset point.
5:30 PM – Golden hour photography.
6:00 PM – Arrive at Bedouin-style camp:
- Henna painting, shisha, falcon display
- Tanoura dance, fire show, belly dancing
- BBQ buffet (veg/non-veg) with unlimited soft drinks
Return by 9:30 PM. - Stay: Same hotel
Day 5: Dubai to Abu Dhabi – Capital City Transfer
Morning (Travel)
Check out and travel to Abu Dhabi (1.5 hrs via E11 or luxury coach — Sapphire Class, AED 100).
Afternoon (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque)
Check into Corniche hotel (e.g., Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental or Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche).
Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (book 2:00 PM guided tour — free entry).
Marvel at:
- World’s largest hand-knotted carpet
- 7 crystal chandeliers
- 82 domes
- Reflective pools at sunset
Evening (Corniche & Dinner)
Stroll Corniche Beach — 8km waterfront.
Dinner at Emirates Palace — try the gold-dusted cappuccino (AED 75).
Stay: Abu Dhabi (Corniche)
Day 6: Abu Dhabi Icons & Heritage
Morning (Louvre Abu Dhabi)
Visit Louvre Abu Dhabi — art from ancient to modern under the iconic dome.
Highlights: Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, Egyptian sarcophagi, Ai Weiwei installations.
Duration: 2–3 hours.
Afternoon (Qasr Al Watan)
Tour Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace) — open to public.
See:
- Great Hall with 350,000 crystal pieces
- Presidential Banquet Room
- Knowledge Library — 100,000+ books
Evening (Dining & Yas Marina)
Dinner at Hakkasan (Cantonese) or COYA (Peruvian).
Optional: Yas Marina Circuit evening tour (AED 150) — walk the F1 track.
Stay: Abu Dhabi
Day 7: Yas Island Thrills & Departure
Full Day (Yas Island)
Choose one or combo:
- Ferrari World — Formula Rossa (world’s fastest roller coaster, 240 km/h)
- Warner Bros. World — indoor DC/Marvel rides
- Yas Waterworld — 60+ slides, Jebel Drop, Bandit Bomber
Afternoon (Shopping & Departure)
Lunch at Yas Mall (300+ stores).
Last-minute souvenir shopping — dates, oud, pashminas.
Transfer to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) (30 mins) or DXB (2 hrs).
Practical Tips for Your 7-Day Journey
- Total Budget: AED 6,000–12,000 per person (mid-luxury, incl. hotels, meals, activities)
- Transport:
- Dubai: Metro, Careem, hotel shuttles
- Inter-city: Sapphire Coach or private transfer
- Packing: Light layers, modest attire, sunscreen, power bank
- Language: English widely spoken; basic Arabic phrases appreciated
- Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants; AED 20–50 for drivers/guides
Final Thought: Your Perfect UAE Introduction
This 7-day itinerary is your complete UAE starter pack — blending Dubai’s futuristic skyline with Abu Dhabi’s cultural depth, desert adventure with coastal luxury. You’ll leave with:
- 1,000+ photos
- A taste for Emirati coffee
- Memories of dune sunsets
- A story to tell
Ready to start?
Download your full interactive itinerary with live maps, bookings, and 24/7 support at UAE Trip Guide — your first trip, perfectly planned.