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Example itineraryFamilies · Winter sun

Dubai & Abu Dhabi with Kids — a Full 10-Day Family Itinerary

Family (2+2) · 9 nights · December·Dubai & Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dubai & Abu Dhabi, UAE
Photos are illustrative (Pexels).

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Nights
9 nights
Shape
Family (2+2) · 9 nights · December
Weather
16–27°C
Estimated budget
~₪19,100
FamiliesBeachesTheme parksDesertWinter sun

A family trip to the Emirates ends one of two ways: kids wrecked by attraction overload, or a family that comes home with a list of moments. This itinerary — built by Max from a real request, a family with kids aged 6 and 10 — is engineered for the second.

The principle: every big day leans on a calm half-day. Six nights in Dubai at a JBR beachfront hotel — Burj Khalifa, the Atlantis waterpark, the old city and a gentle desert safari — then three nights in Abu Dhabi: the white mosque at sunset, Ferrari World and the Louvre.

Read it as inspiration — or hit "Copy this trip": you'll get your own version with upcoming dates, and you can shift anything to fit your family. Prices here are honest estimates for all four travelers.

The flights.

flydubaiFZ 060Max's pick

Outbound: Sunday · 07:4513:00 · TLVDXB · Direct

Return: Tuesday · 14:3015:50 · DXBTLV · Direct

₪1,430 per person

Why it's here: You leave in the morning, and by early afternoon the kids are in the pool. Three hours' flight — exactly one movie long.

Israir6H 551Cheapest

Outbound: Sunday · 09:2014:40 · TLVDXB · Direct

Return: Tuesday · 16:1017:35 · DXBTLV · Direct

₪1,290 per person

Why it's here: About $160 less for the whole family — and a calmer morning with the kids before takeoff.

Prices and times on this page are honest estimates, for illustration. When you copy the trip, your version opens with upcoming dates and prices are re-checked.

The hotels.

Dubai · 6 nights

JA Ocean View Hotel

JA Ocean View Hotel

JBR Walk, facing the beach · ★★★★ · 8.9 5,200 reviews

₪920 per night

₪5,520 for 6 nights

Family rooms with sea viewHeated poolBeach across the walkKids' club

Family room, sea view · Breakfast included · Pay at the hotel

Why it's here: A true family hotel on JBR: you walk out of the lobby straight onto the beachfront, and the family rooms are genuinely spacious — not a "double with a sofa".

Abu Dhabi · 3 nights

Beach Rotana

Central Abu Dhabi, private beach · ★★★★★ · 8.8 4,100 reviews

₪1,020 per night

₪3,060 for 3 nights

Quiet private beachThree poolsFamily roomsMall next door

Family room · Breakfast included · Pay at the hotel

Why it's here: A calm private beach a short ride from everything on Yas — the exact balance the last three days need.

The itinerary, day by day.

The exact calendar your copied trip opens with — flights, hotel, and every place in its part of the day. Tap any block to see it on the map.

יום א׳
6דצמ׳
Day 1 · Dubai
יום ב׳
7דצמ׳
Day 2 · Dubai
יום ג׳
8דצמ׳
Day 3 · Dubai
יום ד׳
9דצמ׳
Day 4 · Dubai
יום ה׳
10דצמ׳
Day 5 · Dubai
יום ו׳
11דצמ׳
Day 6 · Dubai
שבת
12דצמ׳
Day 7 · Abu Dhabi
יום א׳
13דצמ׳
Day 8 · Abu Dhabi
יום ב׳
14דצמ׳
Day 9 · Abu Dhabi
יום ג׳
15דצמ׳
Day 10 · Abu Dhabi
All day
Morninguntil 12:00
Afternoon12:00–17:00
Eveningfrom 17:00

Each day, in detail.

  1. Day 1 · A soft landing on the beach

    Dubai

    You land at midday, and until evening the only schedule is the pool.

    • AfternoonCheck in, pool and JBR Beach· ~3h

      Settle in — the first hours belong to the pool and the sand, no big plans.

      Why it's here: Landing day with kids = zero attractions. The beach across from the hotel does the work by itself.

    • EveningMarina Walk by night· ~1h 30m

      An evening stroll between the lit-up towers, ice cream, and the boats below.

      Why it's here: The Marina at night is Dubai's first "wow" — walking distance, free, and exactly at kids' eye level.

  2. Day 2 · The tallest in the world

    Dubai

    Water in the morning, floor 124 in the afternoon, the fountains at night — the perfect city day.

    • MorningA calm pool morning· ~2h

      Two hours of water before a city afternoon — the right family rhythm.

      Why it's here: A packed afternoon starts with an easy morning — that's how nobody melts down at six.

    • AfternoonBurj Khalifa — At the Top· ~2h· ₪150 per person

      The elevator to floor 124 of the world's tallest building — timed entry at sunset.

      Why it's here: I took the sunset slot — you see the city in daylight AND lighting up. For kids it's a flight without a plane.

    • EveningThe Dubai Fountain· ~1h

      The world's largest fountain show, every half hour beneath the Burj — music, water, light.

      Why it's here: Free, right under the building you just came down from — ends the evening exactly at kid height.

  3. Day 3 · Water day at Atlantis

    Dubai

    A day made entirely of slides. They'll thank you tomorrow.

    • MorningAquaventure — the Atlantis waterpark· ~6h· ₪330 per person

      Slides through a shark lagoon, a lazy river and a private beach — a full day, from age 4 to the parents.

      Why it's here: The day the kids will remember most. Buy tickets online ahead — meaningfully cheaper than the gate.

    • EveningFree evening, order pizza

      After a water day everyone's done — and that's perfectly fine.

      Why it's here: Good family planning knows when not to plan.

  4. Day 4 · Old Dubai and Global Village

    Dubai

    A morning of souks and a one-dirham ferry — and an evening at the city's happiest fair.

    • MorningAl Fahidi, the gold & spice souks, and an abra across the Creek· ~3h

      The old clay quarter, a market made of gold, and a wooden ferry ride for one dirham.

      Why it's here: So the kids see Dubai wasn't born air-conditioned — and the abra is the best dirham in town.

    • EveningGlobal Village· ~3h· ₪30 per person

      A giant fair of world pavilions, street food and shows — open only in winter.

      Why it's here: In December it's the happiest place in the city after dark — and entry costs less than an ice cream.

  5. Day 5 · Desert

    Dubai

    Dunes, camels and a sunset — the evening that turns the trip into a story.

    • MorningFree morning — beach or mall· ~3h

      Pool, beach, or a Dubai Mall wander — whatever the family mood says.

      Why it's here: Before a desert evening you save energy — this morning is flexible on purpose.

    • AfternoonFamily desert safari with a Bedouin-camp evening· ~6h· ₪260 per person

      Dunes by 4x4 (the gentle version), camels, sandboarding and sunset — then BBQ dinner and shows at the camp.

      Why it's here: You asked for desert too — I picked an operator whose driving suits kids, not a rally.

  6. Day 6 · Flowers, beach, goodbye Dubai

    Dubai

    150 million flowers, one more beach, and goodbye Dubai.

    • MorningDubai Miracle Garden· ~2h· ₪95 per person

      150 million flowers shaped into planes, castles and hearts — open only in winter.

      Why it's here: Exactly in season, exactly at kid height. You'll leave with 400 photos.

    • AfternoonOne last beach afternoon

      A few more hours of sea and pool before switching cities.

      Why it's here: The trip is built so every big day leans on a calm half-day.

  7. Day 7 · South, to the white mosque

    Abu Dhabi

    You switch cities — and meet the Gulf's most beautiful building in its most beautiful light.

    • MorningTransfer to Abu Dhabi· ~1h 30m

      About an hour and a half — a large taxi or private transfer, straight down the highway.

      Why it's here: You leave after breakfast and arrive exactly at check-in — no half-day burned.

    • AfternoonSheikh Zayed Grand Mosque· ~2h

      One of the most beautiful buildings on earth: 82 white marble domes, a carpet the size of a field, golden chandeliers. Entry is free.

      Why it's here: I set the visit for late afternoon — at sunset the marble turns pink and the crowds are on their way out. Modest dress required.

    • EveningEvening on the Corniche· ~1h 45m

      Abu Dhabi's seafront promenade — a relaxed dinner facing the lit skyline.

      Why it's here: First evening in a new city — close, pretty, no productions.

  8. Day 8 · Ferrari day

    Abu Dhabi

    The world's fastest coaster by day, the pool by night.

    • MorningFerrari World — Yas Island· ~6h· ₪345 per person

      The world's largest indoor theme park, home of the world's fastest coaster — with whole zones for the little ones.

      Why it's here: Abu Dhabi's big day — indoor and air-conditioned, so it works in any weather, and every age finds something.

    • EveningQuiet hotel evening

      Pool, beach, horizontal. You've earned it.

      Why it's here: After a park day — zero plans. That's the rule.

  9. Day 9 · The Louvre, and goodbye

    Abu Dhabi

    The Louvre's rain-of-light dome, and one last beach.

    • MorningLouvre Abu Dhabi· ~2h 30m· ₪70 per person

      A museum beneath the famous "rain of light" dome — a collection that leaps across cultures, built to work for kids too.

      Why it's here: A little culture and a lot of shade — and the dome alone is worth the ticket. Ninety minutes is plenty with kids.

    • AfternoonLast afternoon — the hotel beach

      You close the trip the way it opened: water, sand, zero stress.

      Why it's here: The last full day ends calm — that's how tomorrow's flight happens without drama.

    • EveningFarewell dinner· ~1h 45m

      A last evening by the water near the hotel, and a vote on everyone's favorite moment.

      Why it's here: A small tradition worth adopting: at the last dinner, everyone picks their moment of the trip.

  10. Day 10 · Home

    Abu Dhabi

    A midday flight home — no 4am wake-ups.

    • MorningDrive to Dubai airport· ~1h 40m

      A calm checkout, about an hour and a half to DXB, and a midday takeoff.

      Why it's here: A midday flight = no waking kids at 4am. Worth every shekel.

Everything on one map.

The hotel and every place on the itinerary — tap 📍 next to a place to focus it here

Loading map…
HotelAttractionRestaurantActivity

Tips from Max.

  • December is the Gulf's perfect month: 27°C, warm sea, almost zero rain — and the winter-only attractions, Global Village and Miracle Garden, are open.
  • Buy Burj Khalifa, Aquaventure and Ferrari World tickets online ahead — gate prices can run 30% higher.
  • The Sheikh Zayed Mosque has a full dress code (shoulders and knees covered, headscarf for women) — arrive prepared and skip the robe line.
  • Taxis are cheap and reliable — you don't need a rental car. For the Abu Dhabi transfer, book a large taxi or a private transfer through the hotel.
  • The UAE work week runs Sunday–Thursday; Friday–Saturday is the weekend and attractions fill up — schedule around it.

What it costs.

Flights (round trip)
₪5,720
Hotel (9 nights)
₪8,580
Tickets & experiences (est.)
₪4,800
Estimated total
~₪19,100

Prices and times on this page are honest estimates, for illustration. When you copy the trip, your version opens with upcoming dates and prices are re-checked.

Common questions.

How much does a family trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi cost?

This itinerary comes to about ₪19,000 (≈ $5,500) for a family of four: roughly ₪5,700 for direct flights, ₪8,600 for nine nights in family rooms with breakfast, and ₪4,800 for tickets and attractions. Fewer parks brings it down; cruises and shows take it up.

How many days do you need in Dubai with kids?

Ten days (9 nights) allow the right mix: six Dubai nights at a family pace — one big day, one calm half-day — plus three in Abu Dhabi. Under a week you'd have to drop either Abu Dhabi or the rest days, and both matter.

Is December a good time for the UAE?

The best there is: 27°C and a pleasant sea, none of summer's extreme heat, and the winter-only attractions — Global Village and Miracle Garden — are open.

Do you need a rental car in Dubai?

No. Taxis are cheap, available and reliable, and the metro is excellent. Even the Abu Dhabi transfer is easier in a large taxi or private transfer — simpler with kids and luggage than dealing with a car and parking.

Which attractions are most worth it for families?

The five winners on this route: Aquaventure (the Atlantis waterpark), Burj Khalifa at sunset, a gentle desert safari, Ferrari World — and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which, despite being free, steals the show for most parents.

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