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Dubai Holidays

Dubai Travel Guide

Holidays to Dubai are guaranteed crowd-pleasers, thanks to the sheer variety of things to do, world-famous beaches and indulgent hospitality. Dubai is a glamorous, constantly evolving city, brimming with luxurious excess and audacious architecture.

Rising from the desert like a mirage, it's hard not to admire the can-do spirit of this superlative-seeking nation. Home to the world's tallest building, the world's largest shopping mall and the world's largest palm-shaped manmade island to name a few, Dubai manages to realise record-breaking projects that elsewhere would never see the light of day. A holiday to Dubai is a bit like visiting the future; it's a fun place to explore whether you're there for a long weekend, two-week getaway or short stopover on the way to the Maldives.

Things to do in Dubai - The Highlights

Things to do in Dubai - The Highlights

Popular Attractions
There aren't many places in the world where you're able to spend the morning sunbathing, go snowboarding at lunchtime and shop till you drop all afternoon - but anything's possible in Dubai.

The city's man-made attractions are the main draw, from the mega malls and indoor ski centre to some of the world's best waterpark and theme park rides. Don't miss the record-breaking Dubai Fountains at Burj Khalifa Lake. Whilst fountain-watching might not be top of your bucket list, it's unexpectedly mesmerising to watch the illuminated jets of water erupt an astonishing 500ft into the air (that’s about as high as 35 double-decker buses stacked on top of each other).

Culture, Heritage and Souks
Dubai is sometimes criticised for having 'no culture' - not true! Dig deeper and you'll find plenty of ways to see past its flashy veneer and catch a glimpse of the pre-oil era. Explore the old quarter, Al Bastakiya, and wander through narrow lanes straggled by buildings over 100 years old. Here you'll find The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which is well worth a visit to find out about Emirati culture.

Hop across the creek on a traditional Abra water taxi (a superb way to see the skyline). Breathe in amazing aromas in the spice souk, or ogle at the dazzling jewellery on display in the gold souks at Deira. Visit one of the many museums and galleries in the vicinity; choose from Heritage House, The Majilis Gallery or the 200-year-old Al Fahidi Fort, all of which are free (or almost free) to enter. Alternatively, stroll around the Madinat Jumeirah (a 21st-century recreation of a traditional Arabian village - but very nicely done). Unlike the souks of old, this one has air conditioning!

Dubai Nightlife
After dark, Dubai's party scene is one of the most stylish on the planet. Temperatures don't drop much at night time, making open-air venues particularly popular. Whether you like to let loose and dance till the early hours or sip sophisticated cocktails whilst watching the sunset, you'll find nightlife to suit every taste, age range and budget.

Best time to visit Dubai

Weather in Dubai

It's always sunny in Dubai. The best time to go is during the winter months (November - March), when temperatures hover around a very pleasant 25°C. It can get very hot in the summer; from June - August you'll see the mercury hit upwards of 40°C. The most popular time to visit Dubai is over the Christmas holidays and February half term.

Hotels offer the best deals from June - September, so you can find yourself staying in five-star luxury for a much more affordable price. It's becoming increasingly popular to visit during the summer. Everywhere is air conditioned and hotels have chilled pools - so the heat is definitely manageable.

You'll also find unbeatable deals during Ramadan, although if you choose to travel at this time you'll need to respect local customs of not eating or drinking in public during daylight hours (locals don’t expect foreigners to fast, but it can still be seen as rude to eat or drink in front of them). The atmosphere is more low-key than usual, but you will find some amazing sales in the malls and no queues at leading attractions.

If you're flexible on dates, March, April and October offer a good balance between best value and comfortable temperatures.

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Rainfall (cm)

Dining in Dubai

Even the most discerning foodies will struggle to decide where to dine in Dubai. When it comes to food, saying 'Dubai offers plenty of variety' is an understatement. From Indian to Italian, delicacies from almost every nation can be found (which is unsurprising, given that 90% of Dubai's population are expats).

Restaurants headed up by international Michelin star chefs are all over the city, including Gary Rhodes' steakhouse, Rhodes Twenty 10, globally renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa's Japanese restaurant and Alain Ducasse's Margaux, which overlooks Dubai's spectacular dancing fountains at the Burj Khalifa. Indego by Veneet at Grosvenor House is one of the city's most coveted restaurants, offering tantalising Indian-fusion cuisine.

Authentic Emirati fare is inspired by the flavours of Asia and the Middle East, using lots of chillies and spices. If your budget's tight, seek out a tasty (if a little more rustic) meal at one of Dubai's street food restaurants, which serve everything from fiery Pakistani curries to traditional shawarma kebabs.

Where to stay in Dubai

Palm Jumeirah

The Palm in Dubai is the world's largest artificial island shaped like a palm tree - so big, you can see it from space. Atlantis The Palm is the most famous resort on The Palm, with its incredible 32-acre Aquaventure Waterpark. You'll find many other opulent five-star beach resorts too, including the lavish Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and the impeccable One&Only The Palm. Stay on the Palm to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, with far-reaching views across the ocean or back towards the shimmering skyscrapers. The Palm has almost become its own destination within Dubai, home to a lot more than just hotels. It's got its own mall, and the Golden Mile along the 'trunk' is lined with shops, luxury spas, trendy cafes, restaurants and a running track.
Palm Jumeirah

Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah Beach has fast become the most popular place to stay in Dubai. If you like a bit of buzz with your beach and enjoy getting out and about, it makes the perfect base from which to explore all of Dubai's main attractions. The area is home to the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which boasts amazing views of the quintessential Dubai postcard icon - the Burj Al Arab. Jumeirah Beach's white sands stretch all the way from the old quarter in the north to the marina district in the south. There's an excellent array of eateries and boutiques in the vicinity, with the Madinat Jumeirah complex at the heart. The popular Wild Wadi Waterpark is also nearby - stay at a Jumeirah group hotel to get complimentary entry included.
Jumeirah Beach

Dubai Marina & The Walk

Skyscrapers surround the man-made canals of Dubai Marina, where wealthy residents moor their eye-wateringly expensive luxury yachts. Jumeirah Beach Residence is the largest development in the area and includes The Walk, a pleasant outdoor plaza home to boutiques, cafes & restaurants. It's a great place to have a coffee, people-watch and ogle at the supercars cruising by. There's also a cinema, public beach and floating 'waterpark' just offshore. There's plenty of high-quality accommodation in the area; stay at Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, Le Royal Meridien, Ritz Carlton Dubai or Grosvenor House.
Dubai Marina & The Walk

Jebel Ali

If you're looking to go all inclusive in Dubai, head out-of-town to Jebel Ali where you'll find two of the best all inclusive hotels in Dubai. JA Palm Tree Court and JA Beach Hotel sit side by side, sharing facilities and restaurants (JA Palm Tree Court is the slightly more upmarket option, with bigger rooms and more choice on the all inclusive meal plan). It's a short 30-minute drive from the city centre - which means they've been able to spread out and build an astonishing array of on-site facilities, making the most of the extra space. Although it's tempting to remain in the resort for the entire duration of your trip given the volume of things to do at the complex, Dubai's leading attractions are within easy reach via a free shuttle bus. It's also an easy drive to the nearby Dubai Parks and Resorts - home to 2 theme parks and 1 waterpark: Motiongate Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park.
Jebel Ali
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Key Information
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Flight Time: 7 hours

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Time Difference: GMT + 3 hours

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Currency: UAE Dhiram

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Language: Arabic, English widely spoken

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