5 Days in Dubai: A Wishlist Guide to the City of More

Dubai doesn’t do half-measures. It’s always more — more sky, more style, more sparkle. But beneath the flash, the city has mastered the art of contrast. Desert stillness and rooftop buzz. Ancient souks and modern galleries. Sunrise silence and nighttime noise.

If you're planning a five-day escape, here’s how to experience Dubai the Wishlist way — curated, elevated, and just a little unexpected.

Day 1: Arrive. Exhale. Indulge.

Bvlgari Resort Dubai

Check-In:
Stay where the lines blur between hotel and private villa. The Bulgari Resort Dubai on Jumeirah Bay feels like a Mediterranean escape with Middle Eastern polish. Think calm, sleek, and completely self-contained.

Unwind:
Book a private cabana at Nikki Beach Dubai or stretch into a sunset yoga session at Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah. Either way, the mood is slow, soft, and sun-kissed.

Dinner:
Ease into Dubai with Zuma — still a city favorite for a reason. Order the black cod. Don’t ask questions.

Day 2: Old Meets Bold

Morning:
Start in Al Fahidi Historical District. Wind through sand-colored alleyways, art galleries, and local cafés. Stop at XVA Gallery for a quiet moment of design and culture.

Afternoon:
Cross the creek on an abra and visit the Gold and Spice Souks — but do it in silk and oversized sunnies. It’s a vibe.

Evening:
Dine at Orfali Bros Bistro in Jumeirah. Unpretentious, wildly inventive, and one of the most talked-about spots in town.

Day 3: Fashion. Views. More Fashion.

Late Morning:
If you're searching for the right mall, Dubai Hills Mall strikes the perfect balance — just the right crowd and all the right stores.

Lunch with a View:
Cé La Vi — because nothing says fashion girl lunch like a plate of burrata under the Burj Khalifa.

Sunset Hour:
Drinks at Aura Skypool — the world’s highest 360° infinity pool. The playlist is just as smooth as the skyline.

After Dark:
Book a table at Ninive. Think lush, open-air Arabian garden with an atmosphere you’ll want to bottle up.

Day 4: Into the Desert

Early Morning Departure:
Luxury desert safari with Platinum Heritage — vintage Land Rovers, falcon shows, and a breakfast that feels like a movie set.

Afternoon Reset:
Return to the city for a hammam at One&Only Royal Mirage Spa — go for the full ritual. You’ll emerge reborn.

Dinner & Show:
Reserve at Dream Dubai. A surreal dinner-meets-performance experience that delivers on both food and fantasy.

Day 5: Slow Mornings, Grand Endings

Late Breakfast:
The Grey in Al Wasl — coffee culture meets concept store. Chic, calm, and just right for your final day.

Art Stop:
Wander Alserkal Avenue. Contemporary galleries, homegrown concept stores, and a sense that you're seeing the next big thing before it hits.

Final Dinner:
Go out with a sparkle at Atlantis The Royal’s Dinner by Heston Blumenthal or the ever-glamorous La Petite Maison in DIFC. Order champagne. Celebrate the trip.

Five days, countless stories. That’s Dubai, done right.