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Dubai in 5 or 7 days: day-by-day itineraries
Five days let you go beyond the big classics; seven days let you slow down. Here are two itineraries built by extending our three-day program, with the starting prices of our activities as of 25 October 2026.
Days 1 to 3: the basics
The first three days stay the same: Downtown and the Burj Khalifa (from 145 AED), old Dubai and desert safari (from 150 AED), then Palm Jumeirah, beach and cruise (from 110 AED). The hour-by-hour detail is in our three-day article.
Day 4: a theme park or water park
A full day is barely enough for one park: pick just one and arrive at opening time.
- Motiongate Dubai: from 270 AED
- Legoland Dubai: from 270 AED, suited to the youngest
- Real Madrid World: from 270 AED
- Aquaventure Waterpark: from 295 AED, for the heat
- Wild Wadi Waterpark: from 195 AED
To compare water parks, read Aquaventure, Wild Wadi or Yas Waterworld?
Day 5: Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is about 1.5 hours by road from Dubai. The Louvre Abu Dhabi (from 65 AED) takes between two and three hours, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque fits in naturally. Our French-speaking tour lasts about 8 hours, in a private vehicle for up to six people, starting price 1,400 AED per vehicle; the option with an English-speaking driver starts at 850 AED.
To prepare the day: Abu Dhabi in one day from Dubai.
Day 6: urban attractions at a calm pace
After two big days, alternate with a quieter outing, indoors during the hot hours:
- Museum of the Future: from 160 AED
- Dubai Aquarium & Penguin Cove: from 180 AED
- The Green Planet: from 130 AED
- Ski Dubai: from 250 AED
- Dubai Miracle Garden: from 95 AED, depending on the opening season
Day 7: thrills
Keep the last big outing for a highlight, then a quiet evening before departure:
- Quad & Buggy in the desert: from 200 AED
- Speedboat Palm Tour: from 95 AED, 1.5 hours at sea
- Helicopter flight: from 670 AED
- Dinner in the Sky: from 750 AED
Find all the options on the thrill activities page.
Tips to keep up the pace
- One big outing per day at most, and a free half-day if you are traveling with young children.
- Put outdoor activities in the morning or evening in summer, indoor ones in the middle of the day.
- Book ahead for the most popular attractions, especially at sunset.
- Check closures: some attractions are under renovation in 2026, see our up-to-date overview.
- Plan your budget: our article How much does a trip to Dubai cost? details the prices.
Plan your stay
Burj Khalifa, safari, cruise, transfers: book online, tickets sent within a few hours.
See all activitiesAsk a question on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
Are five days enough to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Yes, five days let you see the big Dubai classics, a park and a day in Abu Dhabi, as long as you don't pile several outings into the same day.
Which day should you do Abu Dhabi?
Preferably mid-stay, when you are rested: the drive is about 1.5 hours each way, the day is long, and the French-speaking tour lasts about 8 hours.
Can you do seven days with children?
Yes, by keeping just one big outing per day and some rest time. See our article Dubai with kids for activities suited to each age.