How to Plan a Trip to Dubai- 5 Day Itinerary for Dubai

INTRODUCTION

“Habibi come to Dubai!” Are you dreaming of a dream trip to Dubai and don’t know where to begin? No worries, I got you! I am frequent visitor to Dubai as it was my home once upon a time. I love exploring the city as there is always something new popping up. Having said that, I recommend you plan to spend 5-6 days for your first visit to Dubai. Here is my 5 day itinerary for Dubai along with a mini travel guide.

HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO DUBAI?

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

Summers are extremely hot in Dubai which is generally from May to September. A lot of expats go back home which means smaller crowds during the summer months. November to March is considered peak season in Dubai. I personally always go in November as the weather is still really nice yet bearable, and it is right before the holiday season which means prices are still reasonable.

How to get around in Dubai?

Getting around Dubai is pretty convenient. Taxis and public transportation are easily available. You can opt to travel via the Dubai metro or the local buses which are going to be the most budget friendly options. The metro runs from the airport to downtown Dubai too. Keep in mind, eating and drinking are not allowed on the metro and there is free Wi-Fi available on the trains.

While Uber is available throughout Dubai, I recommend using Careem instead as they offer better prices. Download the Careem app before your trip. It offers lot more than a ride including food, grocery deliveries, and other services such as laundry, flowers, salon & spa, tickets, pharmacy, and more! Click here for Careem app.

Another great way to visit the main attractions is via a hop-on and off bus tour. While renting a car sounds convenient, no body wants to spend their vacation dealing with Dubai’s traffic which is pretty much all day and night.

What to pack for Dubai?

I like to go all out with my outfits when traveling to Dubai. The weather remains mostly warm throughout the year. However, that does not stop me from dressing up. In addition to the cute vacation outfits, there are some more essentials that I recommend packing with you.

• You can also checkout my Amazon storefront for some inspiration. Click here.
• Makeup- bare minimum, whatever fits in this bag. I have it in brown. Click here.
• Skin care- travel size only, the Origins travel skincare set was perfect, I use most of their products at home too. Click here.
• Sunscreen- again travel size only, I like the Neutrogena stick version which works for face & body. Click here.
• Camera- I have the Canon EOS T7i, there is a great bundle deal on Amazon. Click here.
• Waterproof camera- under $50, loved it! The quality is pretty good for the price. Click here. I also purchased a wide angle lens. Click here.
• Tripod- solo traveler problems. Get something sturdy and lightweight, especially if you plan on taking pics when it is windy. Click here.
• Shoes- 2-3 sandals and 1 pair of inexpensive rubber flip flops for the beach.
• Packing cubes- to keep things organized especially when you have limited space. Click here.

How much cash should I bring?

This is a tough one to answer mainly because there is a lot of opportunity to shop and I surely like to take advantage of that opportunity! If shopping in Dubai is not your thing then I say a budget of $150-$200 per day per person will work. Pretty much all the attractions charge a fee to get in. While you can always save a little by going to budget-friendly restaurants, a trip to Dubai seems incomplete without dining at some of the fine restaurants.

Best things to do in Dubai?

When visiting Dubai for the first time you must visit some of the iconic attractions that it is known for. As mentioned before, a hop-on and off bus tour is a great way to visit most of the major attractions in Dubai. They have options for 24- 48 hours or 5 days tickets. Below are some of the my recommended bucket list items for a 5 day itinerary in Dubai.

• Visit the top of the tallest building in the world- Burj Khalifa
• Experience camel riding and one of a kind desert safari adventure
• Journey 50 years into the future- Museum of the Future
• Go on a fun yacht tour from Dubai Marina
• Observe undersea life through the world’s largest acrylic viewing panel- Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo
• Enjoy once in a lifetime experience- Skydiving
• Stroll around the picturesque Dubai Miracle Garden
• Visit one of the many souks whether it is the Gold Souk, Perfume Souk or Spice Souk– Old Town Food tour

Where to stay in Dubai?

Dubai has some of the best hotels in the world and it can become quite challenging to pick one from all the options. Having said that, I like to stay in different areas of the city so I get to explore the surroundings. Here are my tips on where to stay in Dubai

Downtown Dubai is my number one recommendation. It is the heart of the city, set around Burj Khalifa and the iconic Dubai Mall. The area offers luxury, entertainment, top-notch dining, world-class shopping, and easy access to all the main attractions.

I’d go with Hotel Indigo, which is a trendy 5 star hotel, about a 15 minutes walk to the Dubai Mall. Depending on your travel dates, you should be able to find rooms under $300 per night. Option 2 is Shangri- La Dubai, another luxurious 5 star hotel located in the heart of Dubai.

Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island shaped like a palm tree! I highly recommend staying at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s most glam beach resort. This 5 star resort is the party and culinary hot spot with a variety of restaurants, bars, and a nightclub. Another great option is the Sofitel Dubai The Palm, offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf!

Lastly, Dubai Marina offers a blend of upscale lifestyle and vibrant nightlife. Soaring skyscrapers, family fun, watersports, and lots of dining options! Check out the Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina Hotel for your stay in the Dubai Marina district.

What else do I need to know before going to Dubai?

• The currency used in Dubai is Dirhams or AED, $1=3.67 AED. Most major credit and debit cards are widely accepted everywhere in Dubai, I usually withdraw some cash from one of the local ATMs.
• Download apps like Careem for transportation and Talabat which is a food delivery app.
• Upon arrival at Dubai airport, you will be handed a local SIM at immigration. It is rechargeable and automatically shuts down the minute you exit the country. 
• My top 3 malls for gold purchases are Dubai Gold Souk, Meena Bazaar, and Dubai Gold & Diamond Park. Dubai Gold Souk is popular amongst locals and tourists.
• The gold rate changes almost daily and it is non-negotiable. However, there is an additional making charge added on each item which can be haggled. The making charge vary by store/manufacturer. 
• They typically sell 18K, 21K, 22K, or 24 Karats jewelry. 24K is the most expensive, and it is the softest piece of jewelry and will bend easily.18K is cheaper per gram but the making charges are significantly higher, it is also the strongest out of the rest. 
• Let the stores know that you would like a VAT refund on your purchases. Make sure to carry either your passport or a copy while shopping as it is needed for the VAT refund sticker on the receipt.
• You can get your VAT refunded at the airport. There are self-service kiosks located before the check in area, these are for smaller purchases. For larger purchases, there is a VAT desk located on the ground floor after security check. I was asked to present the items along with the receipts for the refund.
• Check out my Pinterest board for inspiration here.

DAY I

Let’s begin our 5 day itinerary for Dubai with some sightseeing of some of the most iconic monuments. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Brunch & Cafe and then make your way to the top of the highest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. Keep in mind, you will need reservations to visit the top, so make sure to purchase your tickets in advance here.

Next spot is the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo. You won’t have to go too far to visit the aquarium. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Aquarium are all connected. Just be prepared to do lots of walking! I recommend these shoes for walking around Dubai.

After visiting the stunning underwater aquarium, grab some lunch from one of the many restaurants or cafes located in the Dubai Mall as well as enjoy some shopping. You can find pretty much anything and everything here, from high- end shopping to buying unique souvenirs for your friends and family back home. I make sure to grab boxes of chocolate from Patchi. It is one of my favorite brands of chocolate, definitely check them out!

Grab dinner from one of the main restaurants at the Dubai Mall while enjoying a view of the Fountain show. Check out the timings here. And lastly end the night at CE LA VI Dubai rooftop bar or lounge.

Today’s Agenda –> Sightseeing

• Breakfast @ Brunch & Cafe
• Visit Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium, and Dubai Mall
• Lounge or rooftop bar @ CE LA VI Dubai

DAY 2

For day 2 of our Dubai 5 day itinerary, we are going to get lots of sunshine and spend our day by the water and maybe go on a wild adventure! Head to the Dubai Marina for a yacht tour where you can see some of the major landmarks from the water.

Next enjoy some pool time at Aura pool experience. There are different time slots available, make sure to reserve ahead of time. Lastly, go on a once in a lifetime adventure, skydiving! Do a tandem jump from 13,000 ft above ground.

Today’s Agenda –> Water Adventures

• Yacht tour from Dubai Marina
• Spend the afternoon @ Aura pool experience
• Go on a wild ride Skydiving

DAY 3

Start your day with a hearty breakfast. Then head out to the Dubai Miracle Garden which is the world’s largest natural flower garden. Next spot for the day is the Museum of the Future which is an immersive and thought-provoking journey that leaves you feeling inspired and excited about the future. Make sure to book your tickets well in advance as they are hard to come by.

After lunch, head out for some shopping at the Dubai Gold and Spice Souk. While you are there, you can also enjoy a short abra boat ride which costs about 2 AED. The payments are accepted in cash in person. Bring some change with you. The boat takes you to the other side of the creek, Bur Dubai, where you can enjoy some of the local foods as well as shop for souvenirs. I purchased my abaya from Bur Dubai for about 40 AED before my day trip to Abu Dhabi.

Today’s Agenda –> Sightseeing & Shopping

• Visit Miracle garden
• Visit Museum of the Future
• Experience a short abra ride
• Shopping at Gold and Spice Souk

DAY 4

For day 4, let’s head out for some adventures in the desert! Grab a quick breakfast and get ready for a morning pickup. This tour company offers pickup and drop off service along with your tour. You get to enjoy a desert safari, quad biking, camel riding and a visit to the Al Khayma Camp.

I recommend wearing lightweight clothing for the desert. Make sure to bring sunblock, water, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the heat.

Today’s Agenda –> Desert Safari adventure

• Breakfast @resort
• Desert safari adventure

DAY 5

Hopefully you have enjoyed your trip to Dubai and plan to come back for more. On the last day, I personally like to relax a bit, maybe get a massage or lay at the beach to get a nice tan. Visit one of Dubai’s many beach club. Some options are Nikki Beach, Beach by Five, Drift Beach Club, etc.

I ended up going to Beach By Five and I loved it there. It is located at the Five Palm Jumeirah hotel and I went without a reservation. After soaking in some sunshine, head out for a sightseeing helicopter ride from the Palm. Fly above the city and get a birds view of the most iconic attractions.

Today’s Agenda –> Helicopter ride + beach day

• Beach day @ Beach by Five
• Helicopter ride

CONCLUSION– 5 DAY ITINERARY DUBAI

Dubai is an excellent destination for those who love luxury, glitz & glam, good food, and warm weather. I love visiting Dubai and always find new things to do and try new cuisines. I hope you have the time of your life visiting Dubai and go back for more!

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