7 Days in Dubai Itinerary: What to Do, Where to Stay & Travel Tips
You guys — I finally visited Dubai, and wow… what an experience! Honestly, this trip was pretty unexpected. Dubai has always been on my list, but I never thought I’d be visiting it so soon. To be real, I used to think Dubai was a bit overrated — all glitz, glam, and filters on social media — but I was so wrong.
This trip completely changed my perception of the city. Between the desert adventures, luxury stays, and cultural gems, Dubai blew me away with how much there is to explore. So, if you’re planning your first trip, here’s my 7-day Dubai itinerary, complete with where to stay, what to do, travel tips, and even some surprises I learned along the way.
🏠 Where to Stay in Dubai
When I travel (especially for a week or longer), I need a place that feels like home, somewhere with a kitchen, laundry, gym, and all the cozy essentials. That’s why I stayed with Blueground Apartments during my time in Dubai, and it was perfect.
Blueground offers fully furnished apartments for short or long stays (in many major cities around the world). Everything’s ready the moment you arrive, from linens to kitchenware, which makes it ideal for digital nomads, solo travelers, or anyone wanting a comfortable “home away from home.”
I actually stayed in two different Blueground locations, and I loved experiencing different areas of Dubai. The city is huge, sometimes it took nearly an hour to get from one side to the other (depending on traffic, which can get wild).
Both apartments were in beautiful high-rises with gyms, pools, and amazing city views. You can check out my full apartment tour here.
✨ Exclusive Discount:
Click here to explore – Use my code bgfancynancista at checkout to save on your next stay:
- $15 off short stays (<1 month)
- $75 off mid-term stays (<6 months)
- $100 off long-term stays (6+ months)
🌵 Top Things to Do in Dubai
1. Dubai Desert Adventure with Excursion Point Tourism
This was by far one of the most unforgettable things I did in Dubai — and truly a bucket-list experience!
We booked through Excursion Point Tourism, and the tour included everything: dune buggy rides across golden sands, ATV quad biking, sandboarding, a wild jeep safari, and even camel rides. Watch our full experience here!
We ended the day with a VIP desert dinner under the stars, complete with delicious Arabian dishes and live performances. It was magical!
→ Book this desert adventure here
2. Luxury Yacht Experience with Xclusive Yachts
If you’re craving a little luxury, a yacht day is a must. We did the sunset BBQ cruise with Xclusive Yachts on my birthday, and it was such a vibe!
The yacht was huge, the food was delicious, and the sunset views over the skyline were surreal. Alcohol isn’t included, but you can add an unlimited drink wristband for around €15 — totally worth it.
🌇 Must-Visit Places in Dubai
- Palm Jumeirah: Feels like a mix of Miami and Palm Springs! Visit Kyma, Surf Club, or Radisson Blu Terrace for beachy luxury vibes.
- Burj Khalifa: Even if you don’t go up, the surrounding area is stunning for photos and the evening fountain show is iconic.
- Dubai Mall: Gigantic, with an aquarium inside — and directly connected to the Burj Khalifa area.
- Five Jumeirah Rooftop: A bit pricey but worth it for the city views and chic atmosphere.
- The Pods: Such a cool spot for breakfast with skyline views — and the coffee is unlimited!
- Surf Club: Great food and sunset cocktails. Order the Caesar salad and burrata pizza!
💡 Travel Tips for Dubai
+ Book your airport transfer in advance – Ubers can be expensive. I recommend Kiwitaxi (use code NANCY for a discount).
+ Join expat Facebook groups if you want to meet people or find local events:
+ Download these must-have Dubai apps:
- Careem: Your go-to for rides, food delivery, even spa bookings.
- Uber: Still available — and sometimes cheaper than Careem.
- ClassPass: Great for fitness, spa, and beauty treatments (new users get a free trial)
- Portl: Find exclusive events and parties.
- The Secret Society: A hidden gem for female creators to attend influencer events (it’s also available in other cities like Madrid!).
🗺️ Things I’ll Do Next Time
- Lunch at Aura Skypool – The world’s highest 360° infinity pool with unreal views.
- Day trip to Abu Dhabi – It’s about an hour away, and I’d love to explore the Grand Mosque.
- Walk around Dubai Marina & JBR Beach – Preferably when it’s cooler!
- Atlantis The Palm – Just to sip a cocktail at Elements Lounge and people-watch.
💭 Unexpected Things I Learned About Dubai
- It’s not as expensive as you think! You can absolutely enjoy Dubai on a budget if you eat local or stay in apartments with kitchens.
- It feels like living in the U.S. (but with no taxes!). You’ll see tons of familiar American franchises — even Jimmy John’s!
- It’s car-dependent. Traffic can be brutal, so plan ahead.
- Connections matter. Reservations are key, especially for clubs or upscale spots.
- It’s extremely safe. I felt comfortable everywhere — men were respectful, and I never felt unsafe even when exploring as a woman.
☀️ Would I Live in Dubai?
Honestly… maybe! I went in expecting it to be too much, but now I see why so many expats live here. Between the safety, weather, no taxes, and modern lifestyle, Dubai has a lot going for it.
The downsides? The heat (AC will be your best friend) and the fact that you need a car. But if those aren’t dealbreakers, Dubai could totally be homebase material — especially for entrepreneurs or creators like me.
Overall, it was such a special trip — from desert adventures with Excursion Point, to yacht days, to apartment hopping with Blueground. And sharing it all with my friend Bettina made it even better. 💛
✨ Save this 7-day Dubai itinerary for your next trip!
If you have any questions about my experience, feel free to DM me on Instagram @fancynancista or leave a comment below. And don’t forget to use my code bgfancynancista if you book with Blueground — trust me, you’ll love it.
