5 Days in Dubai: A Relaxed Itinerary With Desert Safari, Dhow Cruise and Abu Dhabi
By Lead Adventure Tour 4 min read
Five days is a comfortable length for Dubai. You can see the main sights, keep a day free for the beach or pool, and still fit in a desert safari and a trip to Abu Dhabi. Nothing here needs an early start every day.
The short answer
- Day 1: Arrival, easy evening in Dubai Marina.
- Day 2: Downtown Dubai and the fountain show.
- Day 3: Old Dubai, souks and a dhow cruise.
- Day 4: Free morning, desert safari in the evening.
- Day 5: Abu Dhabi day trip, then departure or one more night.
Day 1: Arrive and settle in
Arrange an airport transfer so a driver meets you at arrivals, tracks your flight and takes you straight to your hotel. It is a private vehicle from AED 150 per car, and delays cost nothing extra. Spend the evening on a gentle walk around Dubai Marina.
Day 2: Downtown Dubai
Morning. Visit the Burj Khalifa area. Book the observation deck in advance.
Afternoon. Explore the Dubai Mall and its aquarium.
Evening. Watch the Dubai Fountain show, free to watch from the lakeside walkway.
Day 3: Old Dubai and a dhow cruise
Morning. Walk the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and cross the creek on an abra boat.
Afternoon. Gold Souk, Spice Souk and a late lunch.
Evening. Our dhow cruise lasts two hours with a buffet dinner and live Tanoura dance, from AED 85 per person.
A guided alternative for this day is the Old and New Dubai city tour, 4 to 5 hours from AED 110 per person.
Day 4: Free morning, desert evening
Keep the morning free for the beach or pool, because the desert safari is an evening activity with a late return.
For the evening, pick the style that suits you:
- Classic: the 7-hour safari with BBQ dinner, from AED 130 per person.
- With a quad bike or buggy: the 7-hour safari with a 30-minute quad bike or buggy ride, from AED 190.
- Shorter, no dinner: the 4-hour morning or evening safari, from AED 95.
- Early riser: the sunrise safari with an Arabic breakfast, 5 hours, from AED 185.
Not sure? Read morning vs evening desert safari and the price guide.
Day 5: Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi full-day tour is 8 to 9 hours from Dubai, from AED 190 per person, and includes the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Corniche and the Heritage Village. For the mosque only, choose the 4-hour guided mosque tour from AED 140.
If your flight leaves late, you can do this day and still transfer to the airport in the evening.
Why book your Dubai tours with Lead Adventure Tour
- Dubai-based and independently reviewed. Lead Adventure Tour LLC is a Dubai tour operator, rated 5.0 on Google from more than 2,600 reviews, with 4.9 on Tripadvisor and Trustpilot.
- Free cancellation. Cancel at least 24 hours before and you get a full refund; see the cancellation policy.
- Instant confirmation by email and hotel pickup on most tours; check the pickup areas.
- Clear prices. Shared options are per person, private options are per car, and booking on our website takes 5% off.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Most first-time visitors are happy with 4 to 5 days. Three days covers the main sights; five lets you add Abu Dhabi and a free beach day.
What should I book in advance?
The desert safari, the dhow cruise, the Burj Khalifa observation deck and your airport transfer, especially from November to March.
Is a private safari worth it for a group?
For 4 to 6 people a private car is often good value. Ours is AED 780 per car, up to 6 guests; see shared vs private.
What if I want a shorter trip?
See the 3-day itinerary or the one-day layover plan.