7 Days in Dubai: An Epic Backpacking Itinerary

7 Days Backpacking Dubai Itinerary

Day 1: Museums and Desert Safaris

On your first day in Dubai, you are going to see the side of the city that is not usually seen in media by visiting the beautiful old town area and learning a bit more about the interesting history of how the metropolitan in the middle of a desert came to be.

First and foremost, you are going to take a traditional wooden abra from this abra station across Dubai Creek that costs only 1 AED. That's right! You can cruise through the old quarters in a small open-air boat, where you will be able to see the life of regular people living in Dubai who aren't just elites driving Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Bentleys like they often advertise themselves.

After that, you can spend some time strolling around Bur Dubai Souk to get a feel of what an Arabian market is like before visiting Al Fahidi and Al Seef Historical District. These neighborhoods are old traditional areas that have been renovated into an open-air cultural center with museums, shops, and interesting old architectures like the wind tower that you can check out.

After strolling around the historical districts, you can continue north, walking along Dubai Creek until you arrive at Al Shindagha Museum, which is the best museum to visit if you want to learn how Dubai and the UAE came to be.

Did you know that people here used to make money from pearl trades before all the oil money pouring in? I didn't know about it until I visited the museum here. The entrance fee is 15 AED per person, which will give access to this museum as well as 4 other museums: the Perfume House, Crossroad of Civilizations Museum, and Emerging City Museum.

After spending your time in the old town, I highly recommend that you go on a desert safari tour for an adventure of a lifetime. You will have the opportunity to go dune bashing around the desert with a 4x4, sandboard down dunes, ride a camel, and enjoy a beautiful dinner out in the desert at sunset. Be sure to book the tour beforehand!

Day 2: Beach Day, Dubai Mall, and the Fountain Show

After a long day the day before, we are going to take it slow with a beach day at either La Mer Beach or Kite Beach on our second day. Both are great beaches that cater to different crowds.

Kite Beach is a vast strip of white sand beach that caters more towards active crowds looking for activities like kitesurfing and kayaking to do on a beach day. You can also relax and go sunbathing here if you wish. However, there are not a whole lot of places to eat and drink unlike La Mer Beach.

La Mer beach is smaller, but it has a ton of restaurants and cafes for you to indulge yourself in. Despite its size, you can still have a great time relaxing by the beach here, although it may feel a little more crowded than at Kite Beach.

After you are done at the beach, you can spend the rest of the day at Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. It has its own aquarium, a traditional-style souk with a dinosaur skeleton, and many other over-the-top things to see that can be conjured by the human mind.

From 6 PM to 10 PM, Dubai Mall will perform the famous Dubai Fountain Show at its fountain area every 30 minutes, and it is definitely quite a sight to behold.

This impressive light and sound fountain show uses a remarkable choreographed fountain system located on the 12 hectares (30 acres) manmade Burj Khalifa Lake. It uses more than 6,500 lights, 50 colored projectors, and a 275 m long tube that shoots water as high as a 45-story building (152 m). So very Dubai 😅

For dinner, you can stroll around Souk Al Bahar and find a nice restaurant to eat at. There are some really nice restaurants with great viewpoints over the Dubai Fountain here, and you can get a private view of the show from there.

Day 3: A Day at the Palm Jumeirah

For your third day in Dubai, we are going to spend an entire day at The Palm Jumeirah, another iconic landmark of Dubai that you should definitely not miss. It is an archipelago of artificial islands constructed using land reclamation and built in the shape of a palm tree, extending into the Persian Gulf.

There are so many things to do on the Palm that you will have to dedicate an entire day if you want to see them all. For the best viewpoints from above, I highly recommend you get to the top of The View of the Palm, an observation deck where you will be able to see the Palm in its full glory from above.

After the viewpoint, you can also continue on and visit the Atlantis Hotel, stroll along the Broadwalk, or visit the Lost Chambers Aquarium, which has over 65,000 marine creatures and is apparently more interesting than the one offered at Dubai Mall.

You can spend the afternoon soaking wet at the Atlantis massive waterpark and feel the frenzy of excitement, and ride a collection of record-breaking rides in its Atlantis Aquaventure park. You can also buy a one-day pass where you will be able to get access to everything in one day without having to pay separately. You can get an exclusive discounted price for the Atlantis one-day pass here.

Looking for things to do in Dubai? Check this out:15 Best Things to Do in Dubai

Day 4: Highlights of Abu Dhabi

After spending 3 days in Dubai, it is time to leave the city and see what the other emirates in the UAE are like, starting off with Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE. We will be spending the entire fourth day there.

One of the greatest attractions in Abu Dhabi is, of course, the massive Mosque of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan the First, which is considered to be one of the most impressive mosques in the world and a must-visit while you are here.

Abu Dhabi is also home to other awesome tourist attractions as well, like the Louvre, a museum full of unique international artwork collections, just like the one in Paris, and Ferrari World, a massive motor racing theme park great for families, and more.

To visit Abu Dhabi from Dubai, you can either rent a car from Dubai Airport, which is how I did it, or go on an organized tour to Abu Dhabi if you don't want to drive in a foreign country.

Day 5: Hiking Jebel Jais, the Highest Mountain of the UAE

If you are looking to do some hiking in the UAE, there is no better place to visit than Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the country where we will be spending our fifth day in the UAE.

On your way to Jebel Jais, you should also stop by Ras Al Khaimah, the main city of the emirate with the same name. Spend the morning exploring tourist attractions in Ras Al Khaimah like the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah and Dhayah Fort before going up Jebel Jais.

The drive to Jebel Jais is one of the most scenic drives you can make in the UAE, and once you are up there, you will be surrounded by stunning desert peaks and mountains that you didn't know existed in the UAE.

Jebel Jais is also home to the longest zipline in the world, where you will be able to take flights on a 9,284 feet (2.82 km) long zipline across canyons, reaching a speed of almost 95 mph (150 km per hour). There is nothing more extreme than that! You can get your Jebel Jais zipline tickets here.

There is also a nice rest stop up there where you will be able to have snacks while enjoying the stunning sunset, which is the best time to visit Jebel Jais. You can also go for a hike and go up the highest accessible peak there for sunset.

After sunset, you can drive back to Dubai and rest for the night. There aren't many organized trips going to Jebel Jais, and the only way to get there is to rent a car from Dubai and drive yourself, which I highly recommend as you won't see a more beautiful road than this.

Day 6: Ghost Town, Hatta Heritage Village, and Kayaking

On our sixth day, we are going to visit Hatta, one of the most popular destinations in a mountainous region east of Dubai, right by the border between the UAE and Oman.

But before going to Hatta, we are going to stop at the eerily Ghost Village of Al Madam, where the sand dunes took over an abandoned village. Here, you will be able to see houses and residential areas mostly submerged in the desert sand. Not something you see every day.

To get there, make sure to approach the village from this road east of the Ghost Village. Do not approach it from the north, according to Google Maps, unless you want to be driving in the middle of nowhere and get stuck in the desert as I did 😂.

After a few hours of exploring the Ghost Village, continue on to Hatta where we will be stopping for lunch at Al Hajarain Restaurant before we explore Hatta Heritage Village, a traditional mock-up village that will guide you through the history for free.

You have the opportunity to do some hiking here as well, with a little hike up the North and the South Tower of Hatta, where you will be able to really appreciate just how stunning the landscape is around there.

Best of all, right before sunset, you can drive up to the Hatta Dam, grab a kayak, and row around the stunning blue water, surrounded by the jagged peaks of Hatta, as you watch the sunset. It is an incredibly surreal experience that you wouldn't expect to have in a desert country like the UAE.

The drive is about an hour and a half from Dubai on a pretty straightforward highway. Again, you can either rent a car from Dubai or go on an organized tour if you are traveling solo to save costs.

Day 7: Al Ain Palaces, Museums, a Camel Market

Last but not least, you can spend the 7th day in the UAE visiting Al Ain, an old city that goes by many names such as the city of gardens or the oasis of the Emirati desert, where the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, spent much of his life.

In Al Ain, you will be able to visit the Al Ain Palace Museum, where you can stroll around in the Sheikh's previous residence and see how simple life was before the rise of oil and the flowing wealth.

You can also visit Al Jahili Fort, see how camels are traded at the camel market, or drive up to Jebel Hafeet for a stunning view over the city.

To get to Al Ain, you can rent a car from Dubai or go on an organized tour to Al Ain.

Looking for more day-trip ideas in the UAE? Check this out:6 Best Day Trips to Make from Dubai

Where to Stay in Dubai?

Budget

California Hostel Dubai Beach

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Mid-Range

Rove Downtown

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High-End

Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach

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When to Visit Dubai?

Since Dubai is a desert city located in the northern hemisphere, the best time to visit Dubai is from November to April when the temperature is around 20 - 33°C, allowing you to enjoy what the city has to offer more.

All the other months can be blazingly hot, and the temperature can go all the way up to 41°C. When you combine that with the humidity coming from the ocean, it can feel like 48+°C, and that is just not fun at all, believe me. If you are planning to do many activities I listed here, I suggest you stick to the recommended period between November and April.

That said, due to it being the peak season, everything also becomes more expensive, especially accommodation, which can cost more than double its regular prices. For example, a 20 USD hotel room during the low season can cost more than 100 USD during the high season. So, depending on your budget, you will have to plan your visit to Dubai accordingly.

If you are looking to save some money and can handle temperatures around 28 - 38°C, September and May are also great times to visit Dubai. However, you will have to stick to mornings and evenings for outdoor activities. This way, you will be able to save a ton of money while enjoying all the awesome things Dubai has to offer.

How to Get to Dubai?

Thanks to its national carrier, Emirates Airline, Dubai is one of the largest travel hubs in the world. Getting there from wherever you are doesn't get any easier than this, so you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to Dubai International Airport.

From the US, you can fly directly via Emirates Airlines to Dubai from over 6 cities all over the country such as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, etc., so you should have no trouble getting there.

From Europe, again, you can fly directly from most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Emirates Airlines to Dubai, or you can also fly with low-cost airlines like Wizz Air or Pegasus Airlines if you don't mind transiting.

From Asia, Emirates Airlines also has excellent coverage across the continent with routes from many hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Jakarta that will take you to Dubai in less than 8 hours.

To find a cheap flight to Dubai, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.

How to Get Around Dubai?

Dubai is a massive metropolitan area with all the best tourist attractions spread out across the city, which can be a little disorienting at first. Thankfully, the city has one of the best and most extensive networks of metros and buses that anyone can take. Additionally, the availability of Uber and Careem can be used to get to exactly where you want, fast and painless. Here are the best ways to get around Dubai.

By Metros: The Metros in Dubai are so awesome. I wish more cities' train systems were half as great as the one they have here. It has great coverage with over 50 stations, traveling more than 85 km across the city, including from the Dubai International Airport, eliminating the need for you to deal with taxis.

Dubai Metro also uses a centralized card system called Nol, which you can purchase from any metro station for 25 AED (6 AED for the card and 19 AED for usage). You can use it to pay for train and bus tickets, as well as goods from many shops around the city. It's like a universal money card that you can use for everything in Dubai, which I think is pretty genius.

The city is divided into 7 zones. Traveling within the zone you departed from is the cheapest, whereas the more zones you cross, the more expensive your train ticket will be. This also applies to both buses and trams.

The trains also have 2 exclusive passenger carriages at the front and back for Gold Class passengers, who hold the premium-priced tickets, and a women-only carriage in case you are not comfortable in the normal carriage.

All in all, if you are looking for an affordable way to get around Dubai easily, the metro is the best way to go, especially if you are traveling alone or as a couple. If you are traveling in larger groups, other options might be a more economical choice for you.

By Bus/Tram: Dubai also has an extensive bus and tram system that works the same way as the metros but with more coverage. You can use a Nol card to pay for buses and trams by tapping on the sensor when you get on and making sure you tap again once you get off. The prices will be calculated based on how many zones you are traveling across.

The price is a little cheaper than the metros, but the wait time can vary depending on the traffic. Most of the time, you should be able to rely on the timetable, the bus stop, and the route line number provided by Google Maps. I have traveled with buses a bit in Dubai, and they are great for going to places that aren't near any metro station.

By Careem/Uber: You can also use a cab-hailing app like Careem (Android|iOS) and Uber (Android|iOS) to get around Dubai. With a starting price of 12 AED, it is a bit more expensive than hailing a regular taxi, but they are extremely convenient, comfortable to travel in, and best of all, it is a guarantee that you will get a taxi no matter the destination.

Unlike regular taxis, where they often reject passengers based on the destination, taxis called from these apps are obligated to take you no matter where. So, if you are out and about and looking for a reliable way to get to your hotel, Careem and Uber are your saviors.

By Car: If you are looking to travel extensively around the UAE, which I recommend you do if you are planning to spend more than 3 days in Dubai, you can rent a car straight from Dubai International Airports and start driving around from there. It can cost as low as 120 AED to rent one from Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. Hit the link below to rent a car.

Rent a car in Dubai

How Many Days To Spend in Dubai?

Depending on how much you want to see in Dubai and the UAE and the season you are there, you can spend from 1 to 7 days experiencing what this country truly has to offer. Below is a rough itinerary you can follow:

How Much Money Do I Need For Dubai and the UAE?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in the UAE as follows:

Accommodation: For 8 nights, you can expect to pay around 400 USD (1,469.20 AED) for accommodation.

Food: Food costs about 35 AED on average in Dubai, so you can expect to pay around 735 AED per person for 7 days.

Transportation: For transportation, you will be paying mostly for metro tickets and a few trips on Careem and Uber, which should be around 150 AED, plus 360 AED for 3 days' worth of car rental (200 for gas), totaling the amount of 710 AED for transportation.

Activities: For activities, the entrance fees for Al Shindagha Museum, View at the Palm, and Louvre in Abu Dhabi cost around 15 AED, 100 AED, and 63 AED, respectively. Kayaking in Hatta is 60 AED per kayak, while the desert safari should be around 85 USD (312 AED). So, in total, you can expect to pay at least 550 AED for activities.

Total Budget for 7 days in the UAE: 3,464.2 AED (943.15 USD)

Is it Safe in Dubai?

Dubai is extremely safe. In fact, it is probably one of the safest places I've been to so far, and I am not exaggerating. When I first arrived here, I was bothered by the fact that most locals leave their belongings unattended for a long period of time in cafes and restaurants. I don't even do it in my hometown, but it seems to be very common here.

From my experiences, petty theft in Dubai is very rare, especially when compared with other major cities like London and Paris, thanks to its strict laws, huge fines, and advanced surveillance system.

In fact, Dubai is so safe that the only risk you might have to worry about is breaking the strict local laws, such as COVID-19 restrictions, alcohol consumption, public display of affection, and, in certain places, dress code.

Despite being safe, you might still meet a few touters trying to sell your stuff in local markets and souks, but that is to be expected in this part of the world. They are not as hard to weed out as those scammers in Egypt.

When it comes to safety, whether you are a solo traveler or a female traveler, there is nothing to worry about when traveling in Dubai.

Which tourist SIM card is best for The United Arab Emirates?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Dubai, United Arab Emirates without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

There are 2 major carriers in the United Arab Emirates: du and Etisalat, both of which offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage and internet speed.

I personally used du, but since there are only 2 options available, both of which are owned by the states, it doesn't really matter which one you choose. They are both pretty pricey for what you get, and don't expect the internet to be as premium as the price tag.

There are 3 packages for tourists on du: 500 MB for 7 days at 55 AED, 2 GB for 14 days at 75 AED, and 3.5 GB for 14 days at 110 AED. You can top up your data with more data bundles for as low as 200 MB at 25 AED to 25 GB for 525 AED.

As you can see, data packages aren't cheap in Dubai, and I would recommend you to buy them only if you need them, for example, for Careem or Uber. Otherwise, it is best that you rely on free Wi-Fi available in most restaurants and shopping malls around the city instead.

For more information about the United Arab Emirates' local SIM card: United Arab Emirates' Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Dubai?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Dubai, United Arab Emirates while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for the United Arab Emirates

I have plenty of articles to help you further with your trip planning for the United Arab Emirates. Here is a selection of articles that you might find useful:

• Have a few days to spare and wondering what you can do in Dubai? Here are the 15 Best Things to Do in Dubai.
• Looking for day trips to make from Dubai? Here are the 6 Best Day Trips to Make from Dubai.
• Planning to visit the Expo 2020 Dubai event soon? Here are the 15 Most Beautiful Pavilions To Visit At Expo 2020 Dubai that you shouldn't miss.
• To view all articles about the UAE, visit the United Arab Emirates Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.