One Week in Dubai

My travel report with tips for a week in Dubai: Sightseeing, luxury, shopping, and pure adrenaline.

In this adventure, I hopped on a plane and landed in impressive Dubai - the city of records and superlatives. Here is a detailed description of my travel experiences, day by day.

Are you planning a one-week stay in Dubai and looking for top attractions, shopping, and activities? Then you're in the right place! To help you plan your trip, I'll show you my itinerary for a week of vacation in Dubai.

With my suggested program and tips, you can avoid long queues and efficiently organize your days, without wasting precious time! Here follows my travel report to discover the main highlights in Dubai in one week and experience the region on excursions.

For the main attractions, you should plan at least 3 to 4 days in Dubai. You can relax a bit more with 7 days, allowing you to take trips to the desert and Abu Dhabi. It's ideal to combine Dubai with a trip to Abu Dhabi.

Best travel time: November - March with pleasant temperatures between 68°F - 86°F. Summer months from April to October are extremely hot (over 104°F).*Our tip: From the end of March to the end of MayTravel Guide: Lonely Planet for Dubai and Abu DhabiGetting there: Many direct flights from major US citiesHotel: Taj Dubai and Millennium Place Dubai Marina HotelSave money with the Dubai Pass by Go City

*Note the fasting month of Ramadan, which follows the Islamic lunar calendar. Many restaurants and shops are closed during the day.

We have listed the main attractions in Dubai here.

Fresh off my overnight flight, I enjoy the early check-in at the luxurious Taj Dubai Hotel, followed by a wonderful breakfast. After indulging in a hearty breakfast, I head straight to the beach for some kite surfing. Thrills and water fun in the morning? Yes, please!

After that, I make my way to the Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the world. I can hardly contain my amazement at the countless shops and attractions.

The Dubai Mall is truly a shopping paradise of superlatives. With luxurious brands, exquisite restaurants, and top-notch entertainment options, it offers an unmatched shopping experience. It's more than just a mall.

The real highlight of the day is the trip to 'At the Top' of the Burj Khalifa. Thanks to the Dubai Pass by Go City, the ticket is included. Booked through the Go City app (reservation necessary).

The breathtaking view from the highest observation deck in the world was simply incredible!

Start Day 2 with the Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus on the red line (included in the Dubai Pass). I get off the bus in the Al Seef district, beautifully located by the water. This area is rich in history and culture. It is known for its traditional souks, historic buildings, and a beautiful promenade that offers great views of Dubai Creek. Here, you'll find restaurants, cafés, and shops offering both local and international cuisine. Al Seef is a unique blend of old and new, making it a must-see experience for every visitor to Dubai.

Later, I take part in a 1-hour tour of the Dubai Opera (also available through the Dubai Pass). I'm surprised and found the opera visit to be a great experience, and I likely wouldn't have visited this place without the City Pass.

In the afternoon, I return to Kite Beach. Since there is no wind, I book a jet ski tour as an alternative. After that adventure, I visit the Sky Views Observatory with its highlight, the glass slide (included in the Dubai Pass). To wrap up the day, I treat myself to a delicious Arabic dinner at Al Hallab Restaurant and visit the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. All activities are included in the Dubai Pass.

Today, I check into another hotel: Millennium Place Dubai Marina Hotel. From here, I take the blue line of the Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus today. I get off at Atlantis the Palm. This artificially created island shaped like a palm tree has seen some hotels and villas developed over the years. I spontaneously visit Aquaventure Waterpark (included in the Dubai Pass) and enjoy the adrenaline rush on some of the extreme water slides.

Next, I head back briefly to the hotel. Because for the next highlight, a dinner cruise in Dubai Marina at sunset (included in the Dubai Pass), I want to freshen up.

To make it to the departure on time, I had to take a so-called black taxi - a bit more expensive, but I could skip the taxi line.

The 90-minute five-star dinner cruise at sunset in Dubai allows you to admire the incredible skyline with the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, from the water. Dubai is known for its architecture, numerous luxury yachts, and top-notch restaurants. The dinner cruise offers you a perfect combination of all these elements. There's a buffet with a mix of Arabic and international cuisine, and soft drinks are included. Amazing.

As the sun slowly sets and the skyscrapers' lights come on, it creates a very special atmosphere.

It's advisable to reserve in advance (you can also do it via email) to ensure you get a spot on the cruise. Make sure to check the terms in the Go City app.

This morning, I had a bit of a shock: I forgot my ID at the jet ski rental! I had left it there as a security deposit. The matter was somewhat tricky as I had no direct contact. Luckily, my kite instructor came to the rescue. After a bit of back and forth, he somehow managed to organize my ID.

In the morning, I charter a boat for some wakeboarding action. The high waves make it a real challenge. So I thought: why not try something new? And so I switched to wave surfing. To my surprise, it worked on the first try. From that moment on, I had a new favorite sport! It's significantly less physically demanding but just as exciting.

In the afternoon, I was picked up at the hotel for a desert safari. I booked the tour online and experienced highlights such as quad biking and sandboarding. In the evening, I was worn out but happy from the adventurous day! By the way, the tour is also similarly available with the Dubai Pass. Since I only purchased the City Pass for 3 days before my trip, I had to book separately.

After so many adventures, today is time for relaxation by the pool at the beautiful hotel. In the afternoon, I head back to the Dubai Marina Mall, and for the highlight of the day: a zipline from Xline over the Dubai Marina Canal.

The zipline lets you fly from a height of 558 feet above the spectacular Dubai Marina. You'll experience a real adrenaline rush as you speed over the impressive skyline of Dubai while enjoying a grand view of the sea and skyscrapers. A true adrenaline experience!

The Xline zipline is not included in the Dubai All-Inclusive Pass. So it was fine that I only had the pass for 3 days.

Today, unfortunately, it's time to go home. Time for the return flight. My 6-day vacation in Dubai was filled with adventure, luxury, and unforgettable memories. Dubai, I will be back!

Conclusion: To me, Dubai is more than just luxury and shopping. It's a place that offers something for everyone. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie, a culture lover, or someone who enjoys shopping, you're sure to have a fantastic time in this amazing city.

I hope my experiences and tips will help you plan your next journey to Dubai.

Do you have another day? Then I recommend taking a day trip to Abu Dhabi. A visit to the capital of the United Arab Emirates is actually a must if you've never been there. This metropolis is visibly different from the neighboring emirates.

Visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The eighth-largest mosque in the world houses the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world (about 58,000 square feet and weighing 77 tons). Additionally, it has the largest chandelier in the world (10 x 10 meters and 20 tons).

During the further tour, you'll pass the National Exhibition Centre, the iconic Etihad Towers, the Emirates Palace, and Break Water Island. Unfortunately, during this short visit, you won't be able to linger anywhere longer. The next stop is the Heritage Village, followed by a photo stop for the skyline and the date market.

You can then go shopping in one of the largest shopping centers in Abu Dhabi. Lunch is optional and at your own expense. A food court and restaurants are available. After lunch, you'll drive past the Sheikh Zayed Port and the Louvre Museum and continue to Saadiyat Island, the mangroves, Yas Island, and Ferrari World.

The day trip lasts about 10 hours (9 AM to 7 PM). If you want to travel individually, you can book a bus in Dubai or hire a private driver. Check out Katrin's post on the main attractions in Abu Dhabi with many useful tips.

Tip: Fridays are a holiday in Dubai! The roads from the airport to the city are almost empty, and you can get through quickly with little traffic. The shops are still open! Only the train operates later and at different times, so make sure to check beforehand.

Even though Dubai is an extremely advanced city, it's important to respect the Muslim culture. If you want to be on the safe side, cover your shoulders and knees. Alcohol is only available in nightclubs or bars. As alcohol is a sensitive issue in Dubai, it's best to avoid drinking in public or appearing drunk.

If you hold a German passport, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance. You receive a "visa on arrival" in the form of a stamp upon arrival at the airport. As a tourist, you can stay in Dubai for up to 90 days.

The only thing important is that your passport is valid for at least six months and that you have at least two blank pages in your passport.

Dubai has one of the best hubs in the world when it comes to reaching another continent for us Europeans. That's why you have a wide selection of airlines that fly to Dubai, particularly its own airline, Emirates.

There are direct flights to Dubai from almost every major airport in the US. I always search for my flights using the flight search engine Skyscanner.

Tip: Book a night flight; by arriving the next morning, you save a night's stay in the hotel and have the whole day ahead of you to explore Dubai.

At Dubai Airport, there are plenty of taxis. This is the easiest and quite affordable way to get from the airport to the center. Some hotels also offer airport transfers. It's best to check this before your flight or directly when booking your hotel.

Dubai offers various transport options for convenient mobility. In addition to taxis, which are really affordable and safe, many hotels provide free shuttle services to shopping malls and souks. The metro is one of the fastest options to reach various attractions, as the network is well developed. An inexpensive way to cross Dubai Creek is to take an Abra, a traditional covered wooden boat.

When traveling on the metro, there are a few things to keep in mind:

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