Dubai is the most popular city in the UAE. From its skyscrapers like the world famous Burj Khalifa to the huge Dubai Mall, from Jumeirah Beach to the desert safari, from the Palm Islands to the Dubai creek, from Dubai Marina to Old Dubai, and from Gold Souk to Dubai Spice Souk, everything is different and amazing.
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Quick Facts and Tips
- Make sure you have valid passports, visas, travel insurances and documents
- Carry international driving licenses if you plan to rent a car
- Airports: Dubai International Airport or Abu Dhabi International Airport, whichever is convenient. Commute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi:
- By bus: 2-3 hours ride, costs less than $10, may have to wait up to an hour
- By Taxi: Nearly 2 hours drive, costs upwards of $80
- Other options include Uber and Careem (a local taxi service). Careem is less expensive than Uber for shorter distances and Uber is less expensive for longer distances
- Best Time To Visit
- November to April: High season, best time for exploring the outdoors and to avoid the extreme heat. Be prepared for the big crowd
- May to August: Low season, best time for budget travelers, be ready to fight the extreme heat
- September to October: Shoulder season, best time for the beach
- Clothing
- Weather is warm throughout the year, so pack lightweight casual t-shirts, pants, shorts, sundresses, capris, long skirts, swimsuits, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Keep cardigans or shrugs for covering shoulders
- For Desert Safari: Pants, shorts, or capris, and t-shirts or blouses (preferably no skirts or mini shorts). It is better to wear open shoes, flip flops, or sandals to avoid sand getting into shoes
- A light jacket for the cool winter mornings and evenings
- There are dress codes on some of the beaches
- The weekend is Friday and Saturday. Traffic is much lighter on the weekends
- There is absolutely no shortage of hotels in Dubai. Depending on your point of interest book the appropriate hotels
- For the best prices avoid luxury taxis, use the regular taxi cabs (Uber is another option too). You can ask the price for your destination and also check if there is a meter in the taxi
- Try Dubai’s easy and clean Metro system to avoid weekday/rush hour traffic. Note that it may be crowded on weekdays and it may also be a long walk to go to a Metro station from your point of interest
- You can rent a taxi or book Hop On/Hop Off Buses to get around
- During the holy month of Ramadan, eating, drinking, smoking and partying are prohibited in public places between sunrise and sunset
- How many days: Minimum of 3 days to cover major attractions.
- Places to go
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium
- Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Burj al-Arab
- The Palm, The Atlantis, Crescent Road, Aquaventure Waterpark
- Dubai Museum, Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House, Jumeirah Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Dubai Creek, Deira
- Dubai Gold and Spices Souk
- Heritage and Diving Village, Bastakia (Old Dubai)
- JBR Beach, Marina Beach, Jumeirah Beach
- Things to do
- City Sightseeing Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Shopping and walking around the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a traditional Middle Eastern style with stalls & restaurants under wooden covered arcade
- Taking a abra (boat) ride at Souk Madinat Jumeirah while admiring and enjoying the stunning view of iconic Burj al Arab hotel. You can buy a ticket at Souk Abra Station near Trattoria Toscana at Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Sightseeing Boat Tours/Dhow Cruise Tours
- Desert Safari – Dune Bashing, Camel Ride, Sand boarding
- Dubai Self-drive Quad Bike
- Speed Boat Tour
- Burj Khalifa Tour and Fountain Shows
- Camel Desert Safari
- A day trip to Abu Dhabi
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