Why Visit Dubai?
Dubai dazzles as the Middle East's most audacious city, where record-breaking skyscrapers rise from desert sands and luxury knows no limits. This Emirates metropolis transforms impossibility into reality: the Burj Khalifa soars 828 meters as the world's tallest building, Palm Jumeirah's man-made archipelago reshapes the coastline, and indoor ski slopes exist in 40°C heat at Mall of the Emirates. Yet Dubai honors its heritage—traditional abra boats ferry passengers across Dubai Creek for about 1-2 AED, Al Fahidi Historical District preserves wind-tower architecture, and the Gold and Spice Souks overwhelm senses with glittering jewelry and aromatic saffron.
Beyond skyscrapers, the Arabian Desert offers thrilling safaris with dune bashing, camel rides, and Bedouin-style dinners under starlit skies. Dubai Marina's waterfront promenade and JBR Beach deliver Mediterranean vibes, while the Dubai Fountain's choreographed shows rival Las Vegas. The food scene spans from Michelin-starred restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs to authentic shawarma stands and Emirati machboos.
Tax-friendly shopping with low VAT and tourist refund schemes at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates attracts bargain hunters, though local designer finds hide in City Walk and La Mer. Visit November-March for pleasant 20-28°C weather perfect for beaches and outdoor dining. With visa-free access for many nationalities, world-class hotels, and a blend of hypermodernity and Arabic tradition, Dubai delivers extravagant experiences and Arabian hospitality in equal measure.
What to Do
Dubai Icons
Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building (828m). Standard At The Top tickets for Levels 124–125 start around AED 169–189 in non-prime hours, with sunset prime-time tickets closer to AED 240–260 and At The Top SKY (Level 148) from about AED 380–390. Book online 1–2 weeks ahead and aim for early morning or after 9pm for lower prices and fewer crowds. Level 148 adds lounge access and a quieter experience, but views from 124–125 are already excellent. Plan 60–90 minutes total.
Dubai Fountain Show
The Dubai Fountain runs free shows every 30 minutes from around 6pm–11pm daily, with additional daytime shows at roughly 1pm and 1:30pm (and slightly later Friday lunchtime). After a major upgrade in 2025, it's back with new choreography and effects. Watch from the Dubai Mall promenade or Souk Al Bahar bridge for great views without paying for a boat ride. Aim for one of the mid-evening shows (around 7:30–9pm) and arrive 10–15 minutes early to grab a spot.
Dubai Mall & Aquarium
Dubai Mall has over 1,200 stores plus an Olympic-size ice rink, VR attractions, and endless dining. It's free to roam; you pay only for attractions. The giant aquarium tank is visible from the mall, but the paid Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo experiences (various ticket tiers, roughly from AED 150 for standard combos) include the tunnel and upper exhibits. It's as much about air-conditioned people-watching as shopping, and connects directly to Burj Khalifa via an air-conditioned walkway.
Traditional Dubai
Gold & Spice Souks (Deira)
Old Dubai's covered souks are still working markets. The Gold Souk's prices are based on daily gold rates plus making charges; serious discounts on the gold weight itself are unlikely, but you can often negotiate 20–30% off workmanship or initial asking prices on jewellery. In the nearby Spice Souk, bargain harder (start at about 40–50% of the first quote) for saffron, dried limes and frankincense. Cross Dubai Creek by traditional abra for just AED 1 per ride—bring small cash and go at sunset when the creek is coolest and most atmospheric.
Al Fahidi Historical District
Al Fahidi (Al Bastakiya) preserves narrow lanes and wind-tower houses from pre-oil Dubai and is free to wander. Pop into the Coffee Museum or small art galleries, and consider a cultural meal or mosque visit with the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), which runs book-ahead programs explaining Emirati life. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst heat; cafés like XVA's courtyard are quiet spots to cool down between skyscraper sessions.
Jumeirah Mosque
One of the few mosques in Dubai regularly open to non-Muslim visitors. Guided tours (about AED 45 per person) run most days at 10am and 2pm except Fridays under the Open Doors, Open Minds initiative. The 75-minute program explains mosque architecture and Islam, usually with time for Q&A and photos. Modest dress is required; abayas and headscarves can be borrowed on site. Check the official Jumeirah Mosque or SMCCU websites for current times and prices.
Dubai Experiences
Desert Safari
Most evening desert safaris (with dune bashing, camel rides and BBQ dinner with shows) run roughly 3–9pm and include hotel pickup. Standard shared tours start from about AED 150–250 per person, while premium or private safaris can easily run AED 300–500+ depending on camp quality and extras like quad bikes. The experience is touristy but still fun if you've never been in the desert. Avoid dune bashing if you're pregnant or have back/neck issues, and book only with licensed, well-reviewed operators.
Jumeirah Beach & Dubai Marina
Public beaches like JBR and Jumeirah Beach are free, with paid beach clubs offering loungers, pools and showers for AED 100–500+ per day. Winter (roughly November–March) is ideal for daytime beach time; from May–September, midday sun can be intense and many people stick to early morning or late afternoon. Dubai Marina Walk is a pedestrian waterfront lined with cafés and restaurants, and you can rent kayaks or paddleboards for calmer evenings on the water.
Dubai Frame
A 150-metre-tall picture frame with glass-floor skybridge framing views of old Dubai on one side and the modern skyline on the other. Official tickets are AED 50 for adults and AED 20 for children (3–12), with infants free. Lines are usually shorter than Burj Khalifa and the whole visit takes about 45–60 minutes. Go in late afternoon to catch both daylight and night-time views in a single trip.
Global Village
Seasonal open-air festival park (typically October–April) with country pavilions, street food, shows and rides. Entry tickets are AED 25 on weekdays (Sun–Thu) and AED 30 for any-day tickets when bought online or via the official app. It's very much a theme-park market—fun for a few hours in the evening, especially with kids. Expect big crowds on weekends and public holidays and buy tickets only through official channels to avoid ticket scams.
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Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: DXB
Best Time to Visit
November, December, January, February, March
Climate: Warm
Weather by Month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C | 15°C | 7 | Excellent (best) |
| February | 25°C | 16°C | 0 | Excellent (best) |
| March | 28°C | 18°C | 3 | Excellent (best) |
| April | 33°C | 23°C | 3 | Good |
| May | 36°C | 26°C | 0 | Good |
| June | 39°C | 29°C | 0 | Good |
| July | 41°C | 31°C | 0 | Good |
| August | 40°C | 31°C | 0 | Good |
| September | 40°C | 26°C | 0 | Good |
| October | 35°C | 22°C | 0 | Good |
| November | 30°C | 21°C | 1 | Excellent (best) |
| December | 26°C | 17°C | 0 | Excellent (best) |
Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2024) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2024
Budget
Excludes flights
Visa Requirements
Visa-free for EU citizens
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (November 2025): November 2025 is perfect for visiting Dubai!
Practical Information
Getting There
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of world's busiest, well-connected to all continents. Metro Red Line connects to city (AED 5-8/$1–$2 15-30 min to main areas). Taxis abundant (AED 25-50/$6–$13 to city). Al Maktoum (DWC) serves some airlines—buses and taxis available.
Getting Around
Dubai Metro (Red and Green lines) is modern, cheap, and efficient (AED 3-8.50/$1–$2 per journey). Nol cards essential—buy at stations. Taxis are metered, clean, and affordable (starting AED 12/$3). Uber and Careem widely used. Buses cover areas without Metro. Renting a car is easy with international license but traffic can be heavy. Walking is limited due to heat and distances.
Money & Payments
UAE Dirham (AED). Exchange rate: $1 ≈ AED $41 ≈ AED 3.67. Cards accepted everywhere. ATMs plentiful. Dubai is largely cashless—contactless payment common. Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants (often included), round up for taxis, AED 5-10 for porters. Bargaining expected in souks but not malls.
Language
Arabic is official, but English is the lingua franca—widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops, and by taxi drivers. Signage is bilingual. Large expat population means many languages heard. Communication is effortless for English speakers.
Cultural Tips
Dress modestly in public—shoulders and knees covered outside beach/pool areas. Swimwear only at beaches and pools. No public displays of affection. Alcohol only in licensed venues. Friday is holy day—some businesses close or have reduced hours. Ramadan means no eating/drinking in public during daylight. Photography of locals (especially women) requires permission. Dubai is strict on laws—respect them.
Perfect 3-Day Dubai Itinerary
Day 1: Modern Dubai
Day 2: Desert & Heritage
Day 3: Beach & Palm
Where to Stay in Dubai
Downtown Dubai
Best for: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, fountains, luxury hotels, dining
Dubai Marina
Best for: Waterfront living, beach access, restaurants, nightlife, modern vibe
Deira (Old Dubai)
Best for: Souks, traditional culture, budget hotels, authentic atmosphere
Jumeirah
Best for: Beach clubs, Burj Al Arab, residential calm, family-friendly
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