If you still haven’t explored Dubai, you’re in rapidly diminishing company.
In the first six months of 2025, almost 10 million people visited the city – a record-breaking figure – but still, the UAE’s poster-child feels fresh.
Like a true A-list star it thrives on the attention, and is constantly bidding to out-dazzle itself. New restaurants, hotels and attractions pop up everywhere, constantly. So much so, that even a second or third visit feels like you’re discovering the city for the first time.
While Dubai’s rocketing skyline and endless energy are hard to resist, they’re not the only aces up its sequinned sleeve. An insatiable dining scene, state-of-the-art museums, beaches for every style, fabulous five-star hotels with impeccable service: Dubai has it all, and much more besides.
In recent years, it has embraced its Emirati heritage and culture, too – particularly in the older quarter of Dubai Creek, whose traditional wind towers and coral-brick houses feel centuries away from the glittering spires of Downtown.
In February 2026, Emirates will increase its UK–Dubai services further, to a whopping 140 direct flights per week, from eight UK airports.
Read on to discover where to go, what to see, and the best things to do, eat and explore in Dubai – because making your debut trip has never been easier, and really, it’s long overdue.
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How to twin Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Where to go
Downtown
Bold, bonkers and almost unbelievable: this is Dubai architecture at its best. Downtown is a forest of skyscrapers, but the Burj Khalifa glimmers head and shoulders above the rest: its 124th-floor observation deck should be top of your to-do list.
Far below, the Dubai Fountains (the world’s largest) and Dubai Mall (ditto) are also wow-worthy: the former erupts every half-hour from 6pm to 11pm daily (free), while the latter is a true shopper’s paradise – with an ice rink and aquarium for good measure.
Address Dubai Mall (rooms from £430 per night including breakfast) puts you a few minutes’ walk from the Burj Khalifa. Epic views, everywhere from the gym to the infinity pool.
Palm Jumeirah
The original embodiment of Dubai’s trademark ambition, this man-made island feels like a city in its own right.
Whether you’re gawping at the view from the world’s highest infinity pool (AURA Skypool), splurging at Nakheel Mall or luxuriating in the Ottoman-inspired hammam at Raffles The Palm Dubai, there’s so much to do here – though be warned, the island’s layout can make traffic tricksy.
Located on the island’s “trunk”, The St. Regis Dubai The Palm (double rooms from £199 per night including breakfast) has easy access to all of The Palms’s perks – including AURA Skypool right on the roof.
Jumeirah and Umm Suqueim
Encompassing the coastline north of The Palm, this district is all about beaches.
They range from free – yet pristine – stretches like Kite Beach and Night Beach, to ultra-exclusive private idylls like Summersalt, where day passes start from AED500/£101 (though AED250/£50 is redeemable on food and drinks).
It’s also home to the Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped hotel that adorns the cover of almost every Dubai guidebook.
Can’t tear yourself away from that soft golden sand?
Check into Jumeirah Beach Hotel (rooms from £215 per night including breakfast), whose sea-breezy joys include complimentary water sports, five pools and free access to Wild Wadi Waterpark.
Dubai Marina, JBR and Bluewaters Island
Jetskis zipping over turquoise waves, high-rises glittering in the sunshine, and parachutists swooping down to earth at Skydive Dubai – there’s no such thing as a dull view here.
Dubai Marina is chock-full of flashy yachts, while JBR is the city’s busiest beach, buzzing with restaurants and shops. Bluewaters is Dubai’s newest artificial island, featuring Ain Dubai (a sightseeing wheel) and some fabulous dining options.
On Bluewaters Island, treat yourself to the glamorous Delano Dubai (rooms from £660 per night including breakfast) – with a private beach and opulent Amalfi-meets-Hollywood style.
Dubai Creek
Welcome to the oldest part of Dubai, where traders and seafarers plied their wares long before today’s city was even a dream. Its souks are still thriving today, and its restaurants showcase the city’s diaspora: your chance to feast on authentic Indian, Lebanese, Iranian and Yemeni dishes, often for just a few dirhams.
Don’t miss Al Fahidi’s warren of old pearl merchants’ houses and tiny museums, too.
Stay at the charming, low-key XVA Art Hotel (rooms from £66 per night including breakfast) – a gallery turned guesthouse. Breakfast is served in a leafy courtyard, and its art collection spills into the homely, budget-friendly rooms.
Dubai Parks and Resorts
This is a kids’ paradise, stuffed with theme parks and a water park boasting over 100 rides and rollercoasters. It’s in the far south-west of Dubai, so not ideal for city sightseeing – but there’s nowhere better to splash, squeal and slide your way around seriously big thrills (or at least watch the kids do so).
Happily, hotel rates here include free access to at least one theme park, and most are just a few minutes’ walk from the action – like LEGOLAND Hotel Dubai (rooms from £106pp per night based on four sharing, all inclusive).
Expect LEGO-themed rooms, a family-friendly pool and brick-tastic entertainment and activities.
Al Barsha and The Greens
While not a must-visit neighbourhood, Al Barsha and The Greens has two major perks: low-cost hotels, and a location mid-way between JBR/The Palm and Downtown. There’s also easy access to the Metro and the city’s main highway, while the nearest free beach (JBR) is a 15-minute drive away. If you want to cover serious ground on a tight budget, this is a great base.
For a decent low-cost stay, try Zabeel House The Greens (rooms from £76 per night excluding breakfast): it’s part of the Jumeirah brand, which is famous for its five-star – and far pricier – hotels throughout Dubai.
How to get there
The likes of Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Royal Brunei offer plentiful direct flights from the UK (London and various regional airports) to Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Several other airlines offer one-stop flights, such as Royal Jordanian and Gulf Air.
The easiest way to get from DXB to your hotel is by pre-arranged transfer or metered taxi from the rank at Arrivals. Airport taxis have a AED25 (£5) surcharge; expect to pay £12-15 for the 18-minute journey to Downtown, traffic-dependent.
Dubai is a growing cruise destination, though note that Port Rashid cruise terminal is in the north of the city, situated at least a 20-minute transfer from the Burj Khalifa, or 30 minutes from the Palm.
When to book
It’s wise to book far in advance, as airfares climb as travel dates approach. For example, a Heathrow–Dubai direct return flight costs around £500 when purchased five months beforehand, but can nearly double at last-minute.
Hotels are less changeable, but you can still expect prices to rise. For a bargain stay, try to find hotels that are scheduled to open shortly before your visit: prices will be reduced during their “soft opening phase”, when staff may be training but the property is fully operational.
When to go
Avoid June to mid-September: temperatures can top 50C in August, and the humidity will make your sunglasses fog up.
Dubai is ideal for winter sun, with mid/high-20s temperatures from November to March – though some days can be overcast and cooler, especially in December and January.
In 2026, Ramadan will fall in February and March: expect a slightly quieter atmosphere in the city. However, eating and drinking in public is tolerated, and hotels tend to lower their rates and host lavish iftar feasts, making it a great time to visit.
How much does it cost?
Dubai is notoriously expensive, with prices on par with London or New York – but there are ways to minimise costs. Alcohol is exorbitant (around £10-12 for a beer, or £16-18 for a cocktail), but look for happy hours and ladies’ nights, where women get discounted drinks; most bars offer at least one special offer per week.
As for hotels, expect to pay £200-350 for a mid-range B&B room in shoulder season, or £400+ somewhere flashier. That said, there are some excellent low-cost options (see “On a budget”).
Insider tips
- Thanks to Dubai’s long, linear layout, traffic can be a nightmare. Taking the Metro is an easy and cheap way to cross town (AED8.50/£1.70 one-way), but the stations can be remote and Dubai isn’t generally pedestrian-friendly. So if you plan to cover serious ground during your trip, avoid racking up hours (and dirhams) in gridlocked taxis by splitting your trip between two hotels in different areas: say one in Downtown, and the other at the beach.
- If you can’t visit the Burj Khalifa first-thing in the morning, buy a fast-track ticket: its queues can be horrendous.
- The city’s nightlife scene moves at lightning-fast pace: to keep tabs on the hottest spots (and special offers), check out timeoutdubai.com and whatson.ae, or check out our carefully curated list of the best bars.
- When a concierge offers to hail you a taxi, always ask for a “standard taxi” – otherwise you might end up in a more expensive chauffeured ride.
- If time allows, book an excursion into the desert for a glimpse of traditional UAE life – but choose wisely. Cheap “desert safaris” can be tacky, with sub-standard food and large crowds. By contrast, Platinum Heritage offers trips through the dunes in vintage Land Rovers, with knowledgeable local guides, authentic Emirati food, and falconry and stargazing experiences.
What to book
The fly and flop
For a dose of winter sun, Emirates Holidays offers excellent flight-inclusive deals. Six nights at JA Beach Hotel costs from £1,347pp based on two sharing (travelling in January 2026), and puts you slap-bang on a private 800-metre beach – with 25 bars and restaurants on your doorstep, plus a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and water sports. Includes breakfast, flights and transfers.
The kids’ dream break
With free theme park access, two swimming pools, a lazy river and complimentary kids’ club, Lapita Dubai Parks and Resorts Autograph Collection keeps everyone happy. TUI offers five nights at from £1,653pp, including breakfast and direct flights, travelling on 27 December 2025. Price based on two adults and two children aged four and six.
The UAE explorer
Combine a Dubai city break with a few days in Ras Al Khaimah, the neighbouring emirate. You’ll wonder why RAK’s long beaches, crumbling forts and mighty Jebel Jais mountains aren’t firmly on the tourist map too. Travelbag offers an eight-day Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah itinerary from £1,279pp based on two sharing, including direct flights, transfers and half-board meals.
The see-it-all cruise
The calm, clear waters of the Arabian Gulf are ideal for cruising, and short hops between ports means there’s maximum time to explore. Celestyal has a seven-night Desert Days from Doha cruise from £589pp based on two sharing, including meals, soft drinks, basic wi-fi, port fees and gratuities. You’ll depart from Doha to Dubai for two days in the city, and then to Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
The flashy city trip
If you can only spare a few nights, stay in the sky-scraping neighbourhood of Downtown.
The Address Downtown is an excellent base, with sumptuous marble-lavished interiors, an infinity swimming pool and Burj Khalifa views over breakfast.
Destination2 offers three nights from £1,349pp based on two sharing (travelling in February 2026), including breakfast and flights.
On a budget
Holiday prices drop at the height of summer (June to mid-September), but don’t be tempted: Dubai is simply too hot and humid. However October and late May, when the weather is turning, can yield some bargains while escaping the worst of the heat – just avoid the school holidays.
To save £100+ on airfares, fly indirect: Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines offer decent flight times and lower rates.
Dubai also has a superb budget hotel scene, with clean, well-designed rooms and prices from as little as £40 per night including breakfast: check out Rove Hotels, Hampton by Hilton and Mama Shelter.
For discounted attractions, look to Groupon, The Entertainer and Cobone.
What to pack
Light, smart-casual clothes – and at least one fabulous outfit for evenings. Dubai loves to dress up.
Dubai isn’t conservative, but keep it classy: avoid bare midriffs and cheeky shorts.
A cardigan or light jacket: the abundant air conditioning can be nippy, as can the desert in winter.
A spare suitcase. The luggage allowance on Middle Eastern airlines is very generous, and Dubai’s shopping scene is excellent.
Know before you go
The UAE is an extremely safe, tolerant and friendly destination. Solo female travellers should encounter no issues or harassment, and crime in general is extremely rare.
However, you must respect local laws, including those related to alcohol, public displays of affection and sexual relationships; check the FCDO’s guidance.
Almost all visits are without incident, but British Embassies are located in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For UK passport holders, free tourist visas are issued on arrival; you don’t need to apply beforehand.
How to twin Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, lies around 140km to the south of Dubai – and it’s well worth a visit if time allows. Highlights include Louvre Abu Dhabi, whose Jean Nouvel-designed architecture is just as magnificent as the treasures within; the ethereal Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a sacred spectacle of gleaming white marble and giant chandeliers; and Jubail Mangrove Park, where you can kayak on turquoise-blue, turtle-dotted waters.
To reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai, it’s easiest to catch the bus. Routes E100 and E101 run every 30 minutes, taking around 1 hour and 40 minutes and costing AED25 (£5) one-way.
Alternatively, hail a taxi with Careem or Uber: the trip is around 1 hour 20 minutes, and should cost roughly AED250 (£51) to AED300 (£61) one-way. Expect to pay more for a hotel-organised private transfer.
It’s also worth considering a twin-centre package holiday. Hayes & Jarvis’s tailor made Dubai and Abu Dhabi Multi Centre Holiday includes five nights in each city, with a self-drive or private transfers between them – and it’s up to you whether it starts or ends in Dubai. 11 days from £2,099pp, excluding flights.