Why Choose This Dubai and Abu Dhabi Itinerary 5 Days?
Embarking on your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, soar from glittering skyscrapers to serene mosques via swift highways. This plan marries modern marvels with Emirati essence for a whirlwind UAE immersion.
Our AI-curated Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days highlights elite experiences, sumptuous stays, and seamless shifts. It's the flawless frame for five days of Arabian allure and innovation.
Your Complete Dubai and Abu Dhabi Itinerary 5 Days
This guide outlines a seamless Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, merging futuristic feats, desert drifts, and cultural crescents.
Day 1: Dubai Arrival & Skyline Spectacle
Touch down and tower up in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days.
Burj Khalifa
World's Tallest Pinnacle
828m chrome spire with At the Top observatories, Dubai Fountain shows, and Armani Hotel heights. Designed by Adrian Smith, it symbolizes Dubai's ambition, piercing the clouds with its sleek, tiered form inspired by the Hymenocallis flower.
Why You Should Visit:
Ascend for 360-degree dazzle and fountain dances—vertical vertigo. The Burj's beacon launches your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days with awe, offering a bird's-eye view of the sprawling metropolis, Palm Jumeirah, and endless desert horizons that set the stage for your UAE adventure.
9:00 AM - Midnight
Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall
2 hours
How to Reach:
Red Line to Burj Khalifa station, escalator to mall base. The journey is a seamless blend of modern efficiency, with air-conditioned comfort leading you straight to the heart of Dubai's wonders.
Insider Tip:
Sunset slot for golden glows. Lounge access for champagne toasts. Don't miss the interactive screens detailing the building's engineering feats, and time your visit to sync with the fountain show for a synchronized spectacle of light and water.
Dubai Mall
Emirates' Shopping Eden
World's largest mall with aquarium, ice rink, and 1,200 stores amid opulent atriums. Spanning 1.1 million square meters, it's a self-contained city featuring luxury brands, entertainment zones, and the iconic Dubai Ice Rink for a cool escape from the heat.
Why You Should Visit:
Glide through glass tunnels eyeing sharks—retail rapture. The mall's extravagance eases jetlag in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, where you can shop for gold, indulge in VR experiences, or catch a movie in one of the 22 screens, making it a one-stop hub for family fun and fashion frenzy.
10:00 AM - Midnight
Walk from Burj
2 hours
How to Reach:
Directly beneath Burj Khalifa, via grand entrance. Enter through the grand atrium adorned with waterfalls and aquariums, turning your arrival into an event in itself.
Insider Tip:
Aquarium tunnel at dusk for lit-up rays. Gold Souk annex for bargains. Explore the less-crowded upper levels for high-end boutiques and grab a personalized perfume from the scent lab for a unique souvenir.
Day 1 Dining: Mall Marvels
Global gastronomy with fountain views. From Italian delights to fusion feasts, refuel amid the buzz of this shopping paradise.
Eataly
Italian bazaar with pasta and gelato for all. Freshly made ravioli and espresso gelato make it a crowd-pleaser for weary travelers.
Time Out Market
Food hall fusion from Emirati to sushi. Sample lobster rolls or shawarma tacos in a vibrant, communal setting perfect for people-watching.
Social House
Rooftop vibes with Mediterranean sharing plates. Charcuterie boards and sunset cocktails elevate your first-night unwind.
Day 2: Desert Safari & Dune Delights
Sand-surf and starlit suppers in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days.
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Red Dunes & Bedouin Bliss
Protected sands with dune bashing, camel treks, and falconry amid acacia groves. This 5% of Dubai's land is a biodiversity hotspot, home to Arabian oryx and gazelles, offering an authentic glimpse into the desert's resilient ecosystem.
Why You Should Visit:
Thrill on 4x4 rolls and henna hands—desert dream. The reserve's rhythms reconnect to roots in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, where you can witness sunset silhouttes on rolling dunes, learn falconry from experts, and stargaze under unpolluted skies, creating memories that contrast the city's flash with timeless tranquility.
All day tours
Pickup from hotel
6 hours
How to Reach:
Hotel collection by safari operator to Al Ain road. Operators like Platinum Heritage provide eco-friendly transfers in vintage Land Rovers, ensuring a smooth, story-filled ride into the sands.
Insider Tip:
Premium camp for private majlis. Sunset camel for silhouette shots. Opt for a morning safari to spot wildlife at dawn, and bring a scarf for sand protection—plus, try the Bedouin coffee ritual for cultural immersion.
Day 2 Dining: Desert Feast
Bedouin BBQ under constellations. Savor slow-cooked meats and sweet dates in a lantern-lit camp, evoking ancient caravan tales.
Al Khayma Camp
Lamb mandi and shisha lounges. Tender lamb infused with spices, served with rice and yogurt, followed by relaxing hookah sessions.
Platinum Heritage BBQ
Organic Omani meats with veg options. Sustainable sourcing shines in grilled prawns and falafel, paired with herbal teas.
Anantara Al Saadiyat BBQ
Gourmet twists on mezze platters. Hummus with truffle oil and lamb kofta, ideal for a luxurious desert close.
Day 3: Old Dubai & Creek Charms
Heritage hops across azure waters in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days.
Al Fahidi Historic District
Windtower Whispers
19th-century bastion with barjeel architecture, coffee museums, and artisan alleys. Once the home of pearl merchants, these coral-and-gypsum buildings feature innovative windcatchers that cooled homes before AC, preserving Dubai's trading post era.
Why You Should Visit:
Wander windtowers for tales of trade—timeless tranquility. Al Fahidi's alleys anchor antiquity in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, where you can explore the Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort (the oldest building in Dubai), browse galleries of local artists, and sip karak tea in shaded courtyards, bridging the gap between past and present UAE life.
All day
Metro to Al Fahidi
1.5 hours
How to Reach:
Green Line to Al Fahidi station, into the lanes. The station's proximity allows a quick dive into the labyrinth, with signposted paths guiding you to key heritage spots.
Insider Tip:
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for free exhibits. Traditional coffee at Al Ustad. Visit during the cooler mornings to avoid heat, and join a guided walking tour to uncover hidden mosques and learn about the district's role in Dubai's gold rush history.
Dubai Creek Abra Ride
Traditional Water Taxi Tales
Wooden boat crossings from Bur Dubai to Deira, passing dhows and spice scents. These iconic 10-minute rides, costing just 1 AED, offer a front-row seat to Dubai's maritime heritage, with the creek serving as the city's original lifeline for trade.
Why You Should Visit:
Float for souk sights and abra anecdotes—creekside calm. The ride's ripples reveal old Dubai in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, connecting bustling Deira markets to serene Bur Dubai, while spotting traditional dhows laden with goods evokes the pearl-diving days that built the emirate.
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Walk to abra station
30 min
How to Reach:
From Al Fahidi, stroll to Bur Dubai abra stand. The wooden boats depart every few minutes from shaded wooden jetties, making it an effortless hop across the historic waterway.
Insider Tip:
Early morning for mist magic. Pair with Textile Souk hops. Hold onto your hat for the breeze, and time it for golden hour to capture reflections of minarets on the water—perfect for Instagram-worthy shots.
Day 3 Dining: Creekside Classics
Souk spices and abra-access eats. Dive into aromatic Emirati flavors along the water's edge, where history meets hearty hospitality.
Al Bait Al Qadeem
Machboos rice and fresh juices. Spiced chicken biryani with tangy lime soda, evoking family gatherings in old Dubai.
Afghan Village
Kebabs and naan in historic haunts. Juicy lamb seekh with garlic yogurt, served in a courtyard buzzing with local chatter.
Arabian Tea House
Mint teas and meze platters. Light bites like fattoush salad and fresh baklava, ideal for a shaded afternoon respite.
Day 4: Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Corniche
Emirati elegance across the border in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Marble Majesty of Faith
World's largest carpet and chandelier-adorned mosque with reflecting pools and 82 domes. Built between 1996-2007, its white marble facade from over 28 countries gleams under the sun, symbolizing tolerance and architectural fusion of Islamic traditions.
Why You Should Visit:
Gaze at Swarovski crystals and floral floors—spiritual splendor. The mosque's serenity sanctifies your UAE pivot in this Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, where you can join reflective tours, admire the world's largest hand-knotted carpet (5,400 sqm), and wander vast courtyards that host up to 40,000 worshippers, offering a profound sense of peace amid grandeur.
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (non-prayer)
Bus from Dubai
2 hours
How to Reach:
E100 bus from Ibn Battuta (2 hrs) to Al Bahar. The route hugs the coast, providing teaser views of the mosque's domes from afar, building anticipation for this architectural icon.
Insider Tip:
Abaya rentals for entry. Night visit for illuminated arches. Arrive for the call to prayer to experience the harmonious chants, and explore the library's rare Islamic manuscripts for a deeper cultural dive.
Abu Dhabi Corniche
7km Seafront Stroll
Palm-lined promenade with beaches, yacht clubs, and skyline silhouettes at dusk. This award-winning waterfront stretches from Al Bateen to Al Khubeirah, blending manicured gardens, family beaches, and cycling paths for a quintessential Abu Dhabi leisure vibe.
Why You Should Visit:
Jog jetties for gulf gazes and kid playgrounds—coastal calm. The Corniche's curve closes your Abu Dhabi arc in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, where you can rent kayaks, picnic under date palms, or watch dhow races, capturing the emirate's blend of relaxation and refined recreation against a backdrop of turquoise waters.
All day
Taxi from mosque
1.5 hours
How to Reach:
Taxi (20 min) along the waterfront. The ride offers glimpses of mangroves and marinas, setting a serene tone before you step onto the paved promenade.
Insider Tip:
Bike rentals for speed. Sunset at Al Kasir for skyline snaps. Head to the eastern end for quieter stretches and street food vendors selling fresh juices—perfect for a post-mosque cool-down.
Day 4 Dining: Capital Cuisines
Emirati elegance with gulf views. Indulge in coastal catches and palace pastries, reflecting Abu Dhabi's sophisticated palate.
Li Beirut
Lebanese mezze on the Corniche. Tabouli salads and grilled halloumi with sea breezes make it a light, flavorful escape.
Bord Eau by Alain Ducasse
French fine-dine at Emirates Palace. Caviar blinis and gold-dusted cappuccino in opulent surrounds.
Sakhira Café
Traditional Emirati thareed and harees. Slow-cooked lamb stew with flatbread, a nod to Bedouin banquets.
Day 5: Saadiyat Culture & Departure
Artistic adieus before flight in your Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Floating Dome of Global Art
Seaside museum with Louvre masterpieces, Islamic galleries, and light-filtering dome. Jean Nouvel's design creates a 'rain of light' effect through its geometric roof, housing 600 works from antiquity to modern times across 8,000 sqm of galleries.
Why You Should Visit:
Meander masterpieces under rain of light—cultural crescendo. The Louvre's lens lingers as your UAE finale in this Dubai and Abu Dhabi itinerary 5 days, where you can trace art's universal threads from Egyptian sarcophagi to Warhol prints, attend live performances in the auditorium, and stroll the outdoor sculpture park, leaving with inspired reflections on humanity's shared creativity.
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Bus to Saadiyat
2 hours
How to Reach:
Free shuttle from Corniche or bus 94. The eco-friendly shuttle glides through mangrove reserves, enhancing the journey to this cultural island.
Insider Tip:
Audio guide for hidden gems. Children's museum for family fun. Time your visit for the Friday night concert series, and check out the temporary exhibits on Middle Eastern modernism for contemporary UAE insights.
Day 5 Dining: Louvre Lunches
Artful bites before bye. Curate your meal like a canvas, with views of timeless treasures.
Fouquet's Abu Dhabi
French brasserie with sea views. Croque monsieur and crème brûlée beside the dome's glow.
Sofra Bistro
UAE fusion wraps for the road. Shawarma sliders with harissa mayo, portable perfection.
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Gourmet caviar cones and macarons. A sweet, savory send-off with artistic plating.