13-Day Itinerary for UAE

  • Day 1: Dubai City
    25 min (17.6 km) from Dubai International Airport

    Dubai City is known for its modern architecture, luxurious shopping, and vibrant nightlife. Visit the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, for panoramic views of the city. Explore the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world, and shop at the famous Gold Souk in Deira.

  • Day 2: Abu Dhabi
    1 h 30 min (144 km) from Dubai City

    Take a day trip to the capital city of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Visit The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a beautiful white marble mosque that is the largest in the country. Next, visit Emirates Palace hotel for a luxurious lunch. End the day visiting Ferrari World on Yas Island for family fun and high-speed thrills.

  • Day 3: Al Ain
    1 h 30 min (140 km) from Abu Dhabi

    Al Ain is known as the "Garden City" of UAE. Visit the Al Ain Oasis, the largest oasis in the country with over 147,000 date palms. Next, visit the Al Ain Zoo, home to over 4000 animals. End the day at the Jebel Hafeet mountain, the highest point in Abu Dhabi for panoramic views of the city.

  • Day 4: Dubai Miracle Garden
    1 h 30 min (74 km) from Al Ain

    Visit the Dubai Miracle Garden, the largest flower garden in the world. Marvel at the stunning displays of flowers and plants, including the Guinness World Record-breaking floral installation of the Emirates A380 aircraft. Next, visit Mall of the Emirates for shopping and entertainment. End the day skiing in the desert at Ski Dubai.

  • Day 5: Sharjah
    30 min (21 km) from Dubai Miracle Garden

    Visit the cultural and museum capital of the UAE, Sharjah. Explore the Sharjah Art Museum, home to artworks from all around the world. Next, visit Al Majaz Waterfront for a beautiful view of the Sharjah Fountain. End the day at Sharjah Heritage Area to learn about the history and traditions of the region.

  • Day 6: Dubai Marina
    25 min (20 km) from Sharjah

    Dubai Marina is a luxurious waterfront district in Dubai. Take a yacht ride along the beautiful marina and enjoy a beautiful view of the Dubai skyline. Visit The Beach at JBR, an outdoor shopping and entertainment destination. End the day at The Walk at JBR, a busy promenade filled with restaurants and cafes.

  • Day 7: Ras Al Khaimah
    1 h 30 min (97.2 km) from Dubai Marina

    Visit the northernmost emirate of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah. Take a thrilling zipline ride over the Jebel Jais mountain, the highest mountain in the country. Visit The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah to learn about the history and culture of the area. End the day relaxing on the Al Hamra Beach.

  • Day 8: Dubai Old Town
    1 h (87.8 km) from Ras Al Khaimah

    Experience the old side of Dubai by visiting the Dubai Museum, located in the oldest building in Dubai. Walk through the traditional market of Al Bastakiya and visit the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, a historic home that has been converted into a museum. Take an abra ride across Dubai Creek. End the day exploring the Gold and Spice Souks.

  • Day 9: Fujairah
    1 h 40 min (157 km) from Dubai Old Town

    Visit the eastern emirate of the UAE, Fujairah. Visit the Al Badiyah Mosque, the oldest known mosque in the country. Next, visit the Fujairah Fort, a historic fort that dates back to the 16th century. End the day relaxing on Snoopy Island, a beautiful coral reef located off the coast of Fujairah.

  • Day 10: Dubai Miracle Garden
    1 h 20 min (113 km) from Fujairah

    Return to the Dubai Miracle Garden for a second visit at a different time of day. Next, visit the Dubai Miracle Waterfall, a stunning waterfall display located next to the garden. End the day with a visit to the Dubai Fountain, a beautiful water and light show located next to the Burj Khalifa.

  • Day 11: Dubai Marina
    25 min (20 km) from Dubai Miracle Garden

    Return to Dubai Marina and enjoy a relaxing day at the Marina Beach. Explore the Palm Jumeirah Island and ride the famous Palm Jumeirah Monorail. End the day at The Atlantis, The Palm resort and explore the the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

  • Day 12: Dubai Desert
    20 min (16.2 km) from Dubai Marina

    Experience the beauty of the UAE desert by taking a hot air balloon ride over the desert at sunrise. Visit The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, a protected area of desert where you can go on a camel safari or go sandboarding. End the day with a traditional Bedouin-style dinner and cultural show under the stars.

  • Day 13: Dubai City
    25 min (17.6 km) from Dubai Desert

    Spend your last day in UAE in Dubai City. Visit the Dubai Miracle Garden or the Dubai Mall for some last-minute shopping. Take a relaxing stroll through the Dubai Creek Harbour or a dinner cruise along the Dubai Canal. End the day with the La Perle show, a breathtaking aqua-theatrical performance.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Burj Khalifa (2-3 hours, AED 200)
  • The Dubai Mall (3-4 hours, Free)
  • Gold Souk (1-2 hours, Free)
  • The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Emirates Palace (2-3 hours, AED 800)
  • Ferrari World (4-5 hours, AED 255)
  • Al Ain Oasis (2-3 hours, AED 10)
  • Al Ain Zoo (3-4 hours, AED 30)
  • Jebel Hafeet (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Dubai Miracle Garden (2-3 hours, AED 55)
  • Mall of the Emirates (3-4 hours, Free)
  • Ski Dubai (2-3 hours, AED 300)
  • Sharjah Art Museum (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Al Majaz Waterfront (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Sharjah Heritage Area (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Dubai Marina Yacht Ride (2-3 hours, AED 1200)
  • The Beach at JBR (2-3 hours, Free)
  • The Walk at JBR (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Jebel Jais Zipline (1-2 hours, AED 341)
  • The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah (2-3 hours, AED 5)
  • Al Hamra Beach (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Dubai Museum (2-3 hours, AED 3)
  • Al Bastakiya (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (1-2 hours, AED 20)
  • Dubai Creek Abra Ride (1-2 hours, AED 1)
  • Gold and Spice Souks (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Al Badiyah Mosque (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Fujairah Fort (2-3 hours, AED 5)
  • Snoopy Island (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Dubai Miracle Waterfall (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Dubai Fountain (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Marina Beach (2-3 hours, Free)
  • The Palm Jumeirah Island (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Palm Jumeirah Monorail (1-2 hours, AED 20)
  • Lost Chambers Aquarium (2-3 hours, AED 200)
  • The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (3-4 hours, AED 250)
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride (1-2 hours, AED 1350)
  • Bedouin-style Dinner and Show (3-4 hours, AED 400)
  • La Perle Show (2-3 hours, AED 400)
  • Total Estimated Costs: AED 6,819

Transportation

Travel within the UAE is relatively easy with a variety of transportation options including taxis, buses, and the Dubai Metro. Taxis are widely available and affordable, but can be more expensive during rush hour. Buses are the cheapest option and connect most of the major cities, but can be crowded and uncomfortable. The Dubai Metro is a fast and convenient way to travel within Dubai, but is limited to certain areas.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Oman or visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi. For a more adventurous experience, try dune bashing in the desert or scuba diving in Fujairah. If you have less time, consider skipping Fujairah and Sharjah or limiting your visit to Abu Dhabi to a half-day trip.

Airports

The main airport in the UAE is Dubai International Airport (DXB) located in Dubai, which is the busiest airport in the country. The second main airport is Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) located in Abu Dhabi. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) is also an option for those wanting to visit the northern emirates. All airports are well-maintained and offer a variety of services and amenities for travelers.

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