10-Day Family-Friendly Dubai Itinerary: Exploring Culture, Adventure, and Relaxation

Day 1: Arrival and Downtown

Dubai, UAE on April 26, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at The Cheesecake Factory

Enjoy a family-friendly breakfast with a wide variety of options located in Dubai Mall, open from 9am to 11pm.
AED100, 1h

10:30am

Dubai Mall & Dubai Aquarium

Explore one of the largest malls globally with the Dubai Aquarium, perfect for kids to see marine life up close. Aquarium is open 10am to 12am.
AED120, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Social House

Casual dining with a view of Dubai Fountain, offering diverse cuisines suited for all ages. Open 12pm to 11pm.
AED80, 1h

2:30pm

Burj Khalifa Observation Deck

Visit the world’s tallest building observation deck for breathtaking views of Dubai and beyond. Open 8:30am to 11pm.
AED150, 1h

4:00pm

Dubai Fountain Show

Watch the spectacular water show outside Dubai Mall, perfect for all ages with shows starting every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm.
Free, 0h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Ewaan Restaurant, The Palace Downtown

Enjoy authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in a luxurious setting ideal for families. Open 7pm to 11pm.
AED200, 1h30m

Day 2: Old Dubai Exploration

Dubai, UAE on April 27, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Arabian Tea House

Traditional Emirati breakfast in a charming courtyard setting, open from 8am to 11pm.
AED60, 1h

10:00am

Dubai Museum

Explore the rich history of Dubai housed in Al Fahidi Fort, great for children and adults alike. Open 8:30am to 8:30pm.
AED3, 1h30m

11:45am

Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood

Stroll through the narrow lanes and visit art galleries and traditional houses to experience old Dubai’s culture.
Free, 1h

1:00pm

Lunch at Bastakiah Nights

Enjoy traditional Arabian dishes in a cozy setting within the historical district, open 12pm to 11pm.
AED70, 1h

2:30pm

Abra Ride across Dubai Creek

Take a traditional wooden boat ride between Bur Dubai and Deira for a fun, scenic experience. Operates from 6am to midnight.
AED1, 0h15m

3:00pm

Gold and Spice Souks

Explore vibrant traditional markets famous for gold jewelry and fragrant spices; great for souvenirs.
Free, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Al Iwan, Burj Al Arab

Experience luxury dining with iconic Arabian flavors in the Burj Al Arab hotel (advance booking recommended).
AED350, 1h30m

Day 3: Marina and Beach

Dubai, UAE on April 28, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Eggspectation, Dubai Marina

A family-friendly café with a wide array of breakfast options near the waterfront, open 8am to 11pm.
AED70, 1h

10:00am

Dubai Marina Walk

Leisurely walk along the marina promenade with plenty of shops and cafes to explore, great for family strolls.
Free, 1h30m

11:30am

JBR Beach and The Beach Mall

Enjoy beach time with family-friendly amenities and easy access to restaurants and shops.
Free, 3h

2:30pm

Lunch at Wavebreaker Beach Bar & Grill

Casual beachfront dining with kid-friendly options and stunning sea views, open 12pm to 11pm.
AED90, 1h

4:00pm

Ain Dubai Observation Wheel

Ride the world’s largest observation wheel for spectacular views of Dubai and the coastline; open 10am to 10pm.
AED130, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Pier 7

Choose from multiple restaurants in one building overlooking the marina, perfect for family dining with diverse cuisine.
AED150, 1h30m

Day 4: Theme Parks & Aquarium

Dubai, UAE on April 29, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel or nearby café

Fuel up early for a full day at the parks with quick and convenient breakfast close by.
AED50, 45m

8:00am

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Enjoy an exciting day at one of Dubai’s largest indoor theme parks with rides and shows for all ages; open 11am to 10pm on weekdays, but check if early entry is available.
AED275, 5h

1:00pm

Lunch Inside IMG Worlds

Numerous themed eateries provide convenient meals within the park to keep the family energized.
AED100, 1h

3:00pm

Dubai Dolphinarium

Watch entertaining dolphin and seal shows that the whole family will delight in, open 11am to 7pm.
AED120, 1h

5:00pm

Relax at Creek Park

Enjoy a calm family environment in this spacious park with play areas and garden paths.
AED5, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Creekside Restaurant

Dine alongside the creek with fresh seafood and family-friendly options, open until 11pm.
AED120, 1h30m

Day 5: Desert Safari

Dubai Desert, UAE on April 30, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before your desert adventure begins.
Included in stay, 1h

9:00am

Morning desert safari with dune bashing and camel ride

Experience thrilling dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding in the morning heat while it's cooler, available 9am to 1pm.
AED350 per person, 4h

1:30pm

Lunch at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort

Enjoy authentic Arabian dishes at this desert resort offering a unique atmosphere.
AED150, 1h

3:00pm

Rest and swim at resort pool

Relax by the pool and enjoy resort facilities to unwind after the safari.
Included with lunch or entry, 2h

6:00pm

Evening cultural show and dinner

Attend the desert camp cultural show with traditional music, belly dancing, and BBQ dinner under the stars.
AED400, 3h

Day 6: Palm Jumeirah & Atlantis

Dubai, UAE on May 1, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at The Pointe

A waterfront dining area on Palm Jumeirah offering diverse breakfast options with views of Atlantis.
AED80, 1h

9:30am

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm

Spend the morning at one of the Middle East’s best waterparks with rides for all ages; open 10am to 6pm.
AED320, 5h

2:00pm

Lunch at Wavehouse Atlantis

Enjoy casual dining with variety including kid-friendly menus at Atlantis resort.
AED90, 1h

3:30pm

The Lost Chambers Aquarium

Discover marine habitats and interactive experiences perfect for families; open 10am to 10pm.
AED120, 1h30m

6:00pm

Relax at hotel or nearby beach

Unwind before dinner by visiting nearby beaches or your hotel pool.
Free, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner at Kaleidoscope, Atlantis

Buffet style dining with international cuisine suitable for all tastes and ages.
AED180, 1h30m

Day 7: Shopping and Modern Dubai

Dubai, UAE on May 2, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Baker & Spice

Organic and locally sourced breakfast in Souk Al Bahar, open 8am to 11pm.
AED70, 1h

10:00am

Mall of the Emirates and Ski Dubai

Explore shopping followed by indoor snow fun at Ski Dubai; open 10am to 11pm for shopping, 10am to 11pm for Ski Dubai.
AED200 for Ski Dubai, 3h

1:30pm

Lunch at Paul Café

French bakery and café with sandwiches and pastries in the mall, open 8am to 10pm.
AED60, 1h

3:00pm

Visit City Walk

Trendy urban shopping and entertainment district ideal for families with playgrounds and street art.
Free, 2h

6:00pm

Dubai Frame

Visit the iconic frame offering views of old and new Dubai; open 9am to 9pm.
AED50, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner at The Noodle House City Walk

Asian cuisine offering a variety of noodles and family-friendly options.
AED100, 1h30m

Day 8: Abu Dhabi Day Trip

Abu Dhabi, UAE on May 3, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Prepare for a full day trip to Abu Dhabi with an early breakfast.
Included in stay, 1h

8:00am

Travel to Abu Dhabi

Drive or take a tour to Abu Dhabi (approx 1.5 hr).
AED100 (bus) or AED400 (private taxi), 1h30m

10:00am

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Visit this iconic architectural marvel, family-appropriate with guided tours. Open 9am to 10pm.
Free, 1h30m

11:45am

Louvre Abu Dhabi

World-class art museum with family-friendly exhibits and activities; open 10am to 6pm, closed Mondays.
AED60, 2h

2:00pm

Lunch at Museum Café

Enjoy pleasant meals within the Louvre complex, open 10am to 6pm.
AED80, 1h

3:30pm

Corniche Walk and Beach

Relax and enjoy the scenic seaside promenade with playgrounds and cafés.
Free, 1h

5:00pm

Return to Dubai

Travel back to Dubai in the evening.
Included above, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at hotel or nearby

Relax after a long day with dinner near your hotel.
AED100, 1h

Day 9: Nature and Adventure

Dubai, UAE on May 4, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Wild & The Moon

Organic, healthy breakfast options perfect for an active day, open 7am to 6pm.
AED70, 1h

10:00am

Dubai Miracle Garden

Marvel at the world’s largest natural flower garden, a vibrant attraction for families, open 9am to 9pm.
AED55, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at nearby Café Bateel

Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired dishes with healthy options, open 11am to 11pm.
AED90, 1h

2:00pm

IMG Skydive Viewing & Adventure Park

(Optional) Watch skydivers or book a family-friendly adventure activity, or visit nearby Zabeel Park for playgrounds.
AED400+ (for skydiving), Zabeel Park AED5, 2h

5:00pm

Visit Green Planet

Explore an indoor rainforest with exotic animals and plants suitable for kids, open 10am to 10pm.
AED110, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Farm Al Barari

Enjoy a peaceful dining experience with farm-to-table cuisine in lush surroundings.
AED180, 1h30m

Day 10: Departure Day

Dubai, UAE on May 5, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Have a relaxed breakfast before checkout and travel.
Included in stay, 1h

9:00am

Souvenir Shopping at Dubai Duty-Free

Pick last-minute gifts and souvenirs at the airport’s extensive shopping area.
Varies, 1h

11:00am

Check-out and airport transfer

Travel to Dubai International Airport for departure.
Varies, 1h