Holidays to Dubai

Dubai travel guide

• When is the best time to visit Dubai?

  Yep, that’s right, it really is always sunny here! But sometimes it might just be a little bit too sunny for us Brits. Expect some pretty extreme highs of 30°C to 40°C from June to September, so we reckon October to May is a much better time to visit, when it’s a much cooler 20°C to 25°C!

  You’re unlikely to be hit with rain whilst you’re here unless you go in Feb, which is historically the rainiest month. Have a little scroll and you’ll find a temp chart, which’ll give you a good idea of the weather over the year.

• A very quick history of Dubai

  Despite being a highly regarded holiday destination, not to mention the playground of the rich and famous, Dubai didn’t come into existence until 1971. Although its history doesn’t span back across centuries, it makes up for this with stunning landscapes, modern day architecture and plenty of things to do in Dubai. Alongside these fascinating buildings (which will surely go down in history), you can experience the rich culture that’s developed from traditions, folklore and myth.

• What are the best Dubai attractions for families?

  Get those goggles on at the water parks

  Right next to the Burj Al Aran in Jumierah, Wild Wadi Waterpark is mega popular all year round, thanks to those hot, hot temps they get. One of the world’s best waterparks, it’s a full on aquatic Arabian experience with both more chill options (hello Lazy River!) and things with a bit more pizzaz, like the Flood River Flyer, the Jumeirah Sceirah and the surfing simulator.

  Aquaventure Water Park, meanwhile, is yet another one of those record breakers. Right next to Atlantis, The Palm, Aquaventure is flippin’ enormous, the – yep, you guessed it – world’s biggest. If it was a fifties housewife, it would be the hostess with the mostest because it’s got a whopping 105 rides! Odyssey of Terror, Black Out and Leap of Faith are all 100% high thrills. But it’s not just slides, there’s also experiences like the Shark Safari, where you’ll get to explore a shark-filled lagoon whilst wearing a state-of-the-art helmet – you’ll look a bit funny but you’ll have a whale of a time!

  Part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, Legoland Water Park is a little bit friendlier to the younger kids, with lots of attractions that cater to toddlers, with a few big thrills for the braver ones. And forget Build-A-Bear, here you can Build-A-Boat – put it to the test against the current to see how seaworthy it is before sailing right on down the Lazy River.
  
  

  Theme parks galore
  
  The largest integrated theme park destination in the Middle East, Dubai Parks and Resorts has over 2km of roller coasters and more than a hundred attractions. MOTIONGATE Dubai serves up branded entertainment from three of the major studios in La La Land – Dreamworks Animation, Columbia Pictures, and Lionsgate. BOLLYWOOD PARKS Dubai, meanwhile, is the first of its kind, with 6 different environments – all inspired by the greatest Bollywood blockbusters.

  IMG Worlds of Adventure is the city’s largest indoor theme park – 28 football fields worth, to be exact. Better bring those comfy trainers. There’s 6 distinct zones, each dedicated to your fave cartoons and superheros. Then there’s the live stage shows and character meet and greets, shopping at IMG Boulevard, Novo Cinemas…

  Whilst not strictly a theme park per se, KidZania is mega popular and award-winning, so you know it’s good. A super cool concept where kids get to play at being adults, in this incredible make-believe town there’s loads of role-playing activities that help kids build life skills whilst having loads of fun. Take it from us – drop ‘em off here and sneak off for a little bit of you time.
  
  

  Get a dose of nature

  In Downtown Dubai you’ll find Burj Park, a nice little spot for a picnic. On a small island alongside the Burj Lake and accessible by bridges from the mainland, you’ll get a belter of a view of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain whilst you eat your grub.

  Dubai Creek Harbour sits right between the city’s historical areas and the newer hubs of Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. It’s all about a slower pace of life here, with some seriously serene skyline views. Hop on a boat for a tour of the landmarks from the water or head to the nearby Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary to say hello to some proper fancy bird species.

  You can’t go wrong with some dune bashing out in the desert, either. Or if swinging around in a 4x4 seems like something that’d bring your lunch right back up, then you can do the slightly less vomit inducing (but just as high in thrills) sandboarding, which is exactly what it says on the tin. Hop on a board, and slide right on down that warm sand. Now that’s a memory maker right there!

• What are the best Dubai attractions for adults?

  Dubai Creek and the Fountains
  
  If you’re a first timer, then we reckon a cruise past the Dubai Fountains to get up close and personal with the Burj Khalifa or hopping on a boat across the Creek to get a taste of the old city will set you up nicely. Vicky, our Brand and Campaign whizz, absolutely loved the fountains when she was last in Dubai. Her one word to describe them? Atmospheric.

  
  Sky Views Dubai
  
  If this seems like child’s play to you, then you best make your way to Sky Views Dubai, who take sightseeing to whole new heights. Seriously. Get 360 degree views of the city 219.5 metres below from the Observatory, or go one step – or a bloody giant jump, if you ask us – further and take on the Edge Walk, a literal leap of faith 53 floors above Dubai. And go on, you know you want to do the slide.
  
  
  Deep Dive Dubai

  If you’d rather head right on down, then Deep Dive Dubai is the one for you. The world’s deepest pool, every man and his dog was going on about this place when it opened up last year! And it’s SO cool. We’re talking 60m of underwater exploring to do that’ll have you genuinely believing you’re in a whole other dimension. But hold your horses! You’ll only be able to explore a little bit of it without a proper diving certification, but if you’ve got one of those lying around, lucky you – this underwater world is your oyster, baby!

• Dubai shopping

  Dubai is one of the best places in the world for shopping, and it runs the gamut from traditional souks to mega malls.

  
  The Dubai Mall

  The biggest mall in the world, we reckon the front doors to this place are like the pearly white gates for the resident shopaholic in your life. Level Shoes is the world’s largest (it’s almost getting boring by this point) collection of designer footwear, whilst the Galeries Lafeyette is all upscale labels with a French touch. Then there’s the Fashion Avenue, and Dubai Mall Zabeel – the newest extension. But there’s also The Souk, a charming little throwback to the Dubai marketplaces of old.

  
  The Mall of the Emirates

  This bustling shopping paradise is like a mini-city, with stores like Harvey Nicks, Prada and Chanel, amongst many other designer brands throughout. We’re talking 560 stores, baby! They all sit alongside a mega ski centre too, Ski Dubai, as well as a pretty incredible VR experience called Dreamscape and Magic Planet for the wee ones.

  
  Dubai Hills Mall

  If you like your shopping with a dash of thrill (or you just need a pick me up after hours of traipsing around shops), then Dubai Hills Mall is the one for you. The newest addition to the shopping haven that is Dubai, this mall just happens to also be home to the world’s fastest indoor roller coaster, the Storm Coaster. Yep, we reckon that’ll clear the cobwebs!

  
  More souks than you can shake your sunnies at

  There’s loads of souks all clustered around Dubai Creek, the heart of the old city, and they all bring with them a special, historical touch to a city that can feel very full on and futuristic AF. There’s the Gold Souk in Deira, selling – well, erm – gold, but diamonds, watches and silver too. Then there’s the Perfume Souk, where you can bag some (you can see where this is going!) fragrances and essential oils – now’s your chance to score your very own bespoke scent, talk about a holiday souvenir!

  The Spice Souk is your one-stop-shop for all things spices, fruit and dried foods (sample some of the local dates – delish!), whilst a quick abra - that’s a traditional Middle Eastern boat – ride away in Bur Dubai is the Textile Souk where you can get measured for your own custom fit.

• Dubai beaches

  Yep, let’s talk beaches, baby! There’s loads of ‘em, so here’s a quick run through if you want one that’s free, family-friendly, or super luxe.

  A bit of a quieter spot on the coast, Sunset Beach is perfect – here’s a shocker - for watching the sun set across the Arabian Gulf! It’s free and also fab for a morning stroll to get your day started and has a view of the Burj Al Arab (that’s the one that looks like a sail boat!) to boot. The Jumierah Public Beach - Nessnass to locals – is great for families as well as not costing you a penny. Lowkey and lovely. Kite Beach, meanwhile is a famous spot for kitesurfing. A super sporty beach with loads of activities on offer.

  Al Mamzar Beach Park is sprawling, spreading across five pristine beaches and three pools where the whole fam can cool off without getting sand in all sorts of places. For a small fee, you’ll also get barbecue areas, playgrounds, and lagoons – not too shabby.

  And then there’s the beaches attached to the resorts which are all pretty fancy and usually accessible to non-guests for a small fee. We’re talking Caesars Palace, Sofitel The Palm, and The Ritz Carlton – just to name a few!

• Dining in Dubai

  Dubai is a proper multicultural melting pot, soaking up gastronomic influences from loads of its neighbours – India, the Mediterranean, Africa…all sorts! For something fast, cheap and absolutely delish you’ll want some Arabian snack food like spicy shawarma and falafel, all easy to grab from kiosks and street vendors.

  For more cheap and cheerful grub, then Bur Dubai is your one-stop-shop! A haven for foodies, you can try loads of different cuisines from Asian street food to classic Indian dishes. Meanwhile, there’s a bunch of great places to eat at Town Center Jumierah. With its double promenade, The Walk and the Marina Walk, it’s a great spot for a meal with a seriously blissful view out into the blue of the Arabian Gulf.

  Every mall, beach front development, and tourist attraction in Dubai comes complete with a food court. The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates have major chains, pub-style fare, fast food and coffee shops galore, while the fine dining options at the hotels and in the downtown area wouldn't look out of place in London, Paris or New York.

  Generally, you'll pay more at the hotels - onsite aquaria, sky decks and theatrical embellishments all add to the experience, and the price! You can save by eating in the malls and souks (or in the excellent, authentic cafes in the historic old quarter).
  
  Other good locations when considering where to eat in Dubai include: Dubai's Heritage Village, a busy enclave of al fresco tables, boardwalks and bars; the bars and bistros around Burj Khalifa; Dubai Creek and the Convention Centre, including sushi bars, steak houses, pizzerias and superb curry houses.

  You’ll find restaurants that run from the pricey to the more family-friendly, with good 'all-you-can-eat' deals popular with hungry tourists. Look for excellent dim sum, seafood and Arabic-infused tagines (one pot stews!) and middle east/fusion menus.

  Oh, and remember that Thursday night is the start of the weekend - with Sunday the start of the working week - so expect tables to be busy on Thursday and Friday nights!

• Dubai nightlife

  Dubai Creek is chocka with more casual bars and restaurant complexes, whilst Downtown Dubai is where you should head to party to both Arabian and Western pop bangers, enjoy live concerts and watch street performers – all amidst the hustle and bustle of the souks.

  Dubai Marina is perfect if you fancy, well…a more fancy night! Think more lounges and upscale clubs, like Stereo Arcade, Zero Gravity and Societe Dubai. And don’t sleep on Business Bay! If this place could wear a T Shirt it would defo say ‘Business in the front, party in the back!’ Enjoy a carnival-inspired evening at Billionaire Mansion or chill with a few bevvies at Waka Bar, where it’s all about the Japanese-Latin fusion.

  Sheikh Zayed Road used to be the OG place for nightlife before the Marina came along, but it still holds its own today with loads of Dubai icons alive and well here, from the Cavalli Club to Boa Lounge and the Level 43 Sky Lounge.

  Head to the Jumeirah Beach complex for some more of the city’s hottest clubs, such as 360, a renowned club, bar and lounge that looks straight out of Ibiza! There’s also Sanctuary and Zinc, blasting the best house music around until the wee hours.

• Lifestyle and culture in Dubai

  Dubai Creek
  
  The first thing we always recommend is getting yourself on a traditional abra boat across the Dubai Creek for dirt cheap – it’s a mega way to the see city from the water. Super cheap and super authentic, just the way we like it! Top tip? Do it at sunset. Unbelievable. Speaking of the Creek, a nice stroll along the water’s edge won’t do you wrong either. Once the hub of trading activity in the city, you can still people watch as loads of cargo gets packed up, ready to ship off all over the globe.
  
  
  Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

  This is where it’s at for getting a feel for the way Dubai used to be before all your Burj Khalifa’s rolled into town. Navigate winding alleys and stumble into sunlit squares…no, you’re not in Venice! Once a major administrative and commercial hub, it’s now a window into the 19^th and early 20^th century. We’re talking traditional tea houses and gorgeous architecture galore!
  
  
  Tick some of those landmarks off!
  
  When it comes to landmarks you just can’t miss, we can think of a couple. Jumeirah Mosque, for one. It’s the only mosque that allows non-Muslims to visit. Take a tour with the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and you’ll come away with a whole new perspective on the religion. Then there’s Al Fahidi Fort – that’s the oldest building in the city!
  
  
  Contemporary culture
  
  But it’s not all about history. Alerskal Avenue is where you’ll find the cutting-edge of culture in the city. Expect a mix of contemporary arts organisations and home-grown businesses. Boutiques, galleries, performance spaces…all sorts, really.

• Dubai events - what's on when?

  January - Dubai Shopping Festival

  Known as DSF to locals, this is a mega event for shoppers with discounts across stores in all the major malls - now that's how you ring in the New Year!

  February – Dubai Jazz Festival

  Launched in 2008, this series of live music events has seen Duran Duran, John Legend, Ricky Martin, and Mariah Carey all swing by to sing a tune or two - better practice those high notes! "It's tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!"

  March - Dubai World Cup

  Forget about the Royal Ascot, this bad boy has been taking place annually at the Meydan Racecourse since 1996 and features proper fancy thoroughbred horses competing for a juicy $10 million prize, making it the world’s richest horse race. Well, this is Dubai...

  April – Al Marmoon Heritage Festival

  Head to Al Marmoon Heritage Village on the outskirts of the city for this great big celebration of Emirati culture which is all about promoting and preserving Arabian traditions. Expect celebrations, activities, concerts, and dance shows. A right treasure trove of culture!

  May – Dubai Food Festival

  This ones for the foodies! You can get grub from some of the fanciest restaurants in town with some whopping great discounts thrown in and some live music too!

  June – Ramadan Night Market

  Ten days of festivities celebrate the most important month in the Muslim calendar, including food and shopping at the Dubai World Trade Center. Families will love all the activities for kids, and a visit to the Henna Painting section for ladies is a great way to immerse yourself in traditional Dubai.
  
  September - Dubai Summer Surprises
  
  Another sales extravaganza for you lot comes in September, right after local schools close for the summer break.
  
  October - Global Village
  
  Launched in 1997, Global Village runs from October through to April and is an open air event that's become a staple in the winter calendar here. Ninety cultures showcase their local products within 27 pavilions, and there also happens to be over 175 rides, games, attractions. A great one for the whole fam, and just as temps start to cool off.

  November - NoFilterDXB

  The largest motoring event in the Middle East has had a bit of a face-lift! Now known as NoFilterDXB, you can still expect to see loads of fancy and rare cars, just in a different, more interactive way. It's now described as a 'motoring and urban lifestyle festival', with loads of brands parading their shiniest wares through Dubai Harbour.

  December - UAE National Day

  Celebrated every 2nd of December, this annual super spectacle is all about marking the unification of the 7 emirates into one nation. Fireworks. Parades. Ceremonies. Basically a really big party you won't be able to miss if you're in town.

• Dubai travel advice

  Dubai is a beautiful and fascinating city to visit, welcoming people from all over the place, but this otherwise tolerant society does have certain rules that it’s wise to observe and learn before you jet off.

  
  Public displays of affection in Dubai

  It's true that overt displays of affection are pretty frowned upon in Dubai, with interactions between men and women being particularly on the sensitive side. It can even be frowned upon for a man to shake a woman’s hand whilst in public! But let's be honest, who likes unwillingly stumbling upon a PDA session anywhere in the world?

  
  What should I wear in Dubai?

  Another important thing to think about is your wardrobe - don't just chuck anything in your suitcase! Women, a really useful piece of kit is a shawl - pop it on when shoulders are exposed and definitely when visiting religious sites. And skip the mini shirts this time! And don't think you're off the leash, blokes. You'll have to follow some rules too. The most basic? Leave the mankini at home.
  
  We whipped up a guide for what to wear when visiting Qatar, but we reckon it's pretty useful for anyone heading to the Middle East.

  
  Will my hotel serve alcohol in Dubai?

  Drinking alcohol in a licensed venue like a hotel bar? That's A-OK! But cracking open a cold one on the beach or in a public place? Big no-no. This is strictly prohibited, so be sensible with this one, folks!