Dubai HOLIDAYS

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OVERVIEW

For the best time to visit Dubai, think about the kind of days you want: cooler months for walks around Dubai Marina and Old Dubai, or warmer months built around indoor attractions and the coast. The city pairs a modern skyline with a historic creekside quarter.

Dubai sits on the Arabian Peninsula beside the Arabian Gulf. The emirate has a 72-kilometre coastline, and its districts shift from the towers of Dubai Marina to the lanes and wind towers of Al Fahidi.

You can take an abra across Dubai Creek, browse traditional souks, walk the seven-kilometre Marina promenade or see the city from Burj Khalifa. Beyond the centre, desert trips bring dune activities, while Hatta offers kayaking, hiking and mountain biking.

Local food adds another layer to a Dubai stay. Look for harees, machboos and luqaimat, then use a Nol card for public transport. Arabic is the official language, and road and commercial signs also appear in English.

At a glance   ⦁   Must-Do things   ⦁   Must-See places   ⦁    Must-Try food   ⦁   Must-Pack   ⦁   Other things to know   ⦁   Dubai holiday packages

According to our Dubai travel expert:

"Dubai rewards a change of pace. Start among the wind towers of Al Fahidi, cross Dubai Creek by abra, then look out over the city from Burj Khalifa. When you want open air, head for Hatta’s trails or the desert dunes; the contrast makes days feel distinct."

Dubai at a glance

Currency

United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

Language

Arabic

Capital City

Abu Dhabi

Winter Average

23°C

Summer Average

41°C

Time Zone

GMT+4

5 Must-Do things in Dubai

Dubai pairs city landmarks with creekside heritage, desert outings and mountain adventures, so you can shape each day around a different landscape.

1

Desert Safari
Head for the dunes for a desert safari, where you can try dune bashing, camel riding or sandboarding. If you stay out after sunset, temperatures drop inland, so choose practical shoes and bring a warmer layer for the ride back.

2

Hatta Outdoors
Hatta Dam is about a 90-minute drive from Dubai, with calm water for kayaking and trails nearby for hiking. Mountain biking and camping add more ways to spend time in the Hajar Mountains, away from the city streets.

3

Burj Khalifa Views
Take in Dubai from the observation decks at Burj Khalifa. The two-storey At the Top experience occupies floors 124 and 125, while another deck sits on level 148; both put the city’s skyline and coastline in view.

4

Old Dubai Walk
Walk the narrow lanes of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, where wind-tower houses recall the area’s earlier architecture. Then cross Dubai Creek by abra and continue towards the traditional souks, linking a neighbourhood stroll with a short water crossing.

5

Marina Promenade
Follow Dubai Marina Walk for seven kilometres beside the waterway, with palm trees, cafés and restaurants along the route. Come for a relaxed stroll or pause for a meal while looking across the marina’s towers and boat-filled water.

Must-See places in Dubai

Beyond the must-do activities, Dubai’s sights include Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Frame, the Museum of the Future, Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain. Their island setting, city views, exhibitions, indoor attractions and water show each offer a reason to pause.
Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah is a man-made island shaped like a palm, extending into the Arabian Gulf. The Palm Monorail runs along its main trunk, with stops at Al Ittihad Park, Palm Jumeirah Mall and Aquaventure World. From the route, you can see how the island’s layout connects its central spine with the outer crescent.
Dubai Frame
Dubai Frame is a 150-metre-high structure, 93 metres wide, designed to frame views of the city’s older and newer districts. A bridge connects its two towers, while its sky deck includes a transparent glass section. From above, the contrast between the historic quarters and modern skyline comes into view.
Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future stands along Sheikh Zayed Road, with an oval form and a facade covered in Arabic calligraphy that also serves as windows. Inside, exhibitions explore how society could change through science and technology, using immersive displays alongside traditional gallery spaces. The displays invite visitors to explore ideas about what lies ahead.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall brings together more than 1,200 shops and hundreds of restaurants, as well as indoor attractions. Its aquarium includes a 10-million-litre tank, and the complex also has an Olympic-sized ice rink and a large indoor cinema. It offers plenty to explore in one air-conditioned stop.
Dubai Fountain
Dubai Fountain sits on the 30-acre Burj Lake beside Dubai Mall. Its water, music and light performances take place in the evening, with jets reaching up to 140 metres. You can watch from the lakeside promenade or get closer from the floating boardwalk across the water.
Harees is a slow-cooked dish of wheat and meat, often served during Ramadan and at celebrations. The ingredients cook together until they soften into a smooth, porridge-like texture. Try it as a hearty introduction to Emirati home cooking and local food traditions.
Harees

Must-Try food in Dubai

Dubai’s food reflects Emirati traditions and the city’s wider mix of influences. Look for slow-cooked harees, spiced rice machboos and sweet luqaimat, often served with date syrup. These dishes give you a taste of local cooking beyond the restaurants and international menus found across the city.
Harees
Harees is a slow-cooked dish of wheat and meat, often served during Ramadan and at celebrations. The ingredients cook together until they soften into a smooth, porridge-like texture. Try it as a hearty introduction to Emirati home cooking and local food traditions.
Machboos
Machboos combines rice with meat or fish, cooked with spices that can include dried lime, saffron and cardamom. The fragrant rice is usually served as a filling main dish, with the seasoning giving it a distinctive flavour associated with Gulf cooking.
Luqaimat
Luqaimat are small fried dough balls with a crisp outside and soft centre. They are commonly finished with date syrup and sesame seeds, making them a sweet treat to look for in Emirati restaurants and at local food events.
Harees is a slow-cooked dish of wheat and meat, often served during Ramadan and at celebrations. The ingredients cook together until they soften into a smooth, porridge-like texture. Try it as a hearty introduction to Emirati home cooking and local food traditions.
Harees

Must-Pack for Dubai

Pack for strong sunshine, warm-weather outings and time moving between outdoor sights and air-conditioned interiors.
Family packing suitcases for a holiday

Sunscreen

Bring sunscreen for long stretches outdoors in Dubai’s strong sunshine and on trips to the coast or desert.


Sunglasses

Pack sunglasses to reduce glare while walking along the Marina, visiting open-air sights or spending time on the beach.


Lightweight clothing

Choose lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days, especially if you plan to explore outdoor neighbourhoods or take a desert trip.


Swimwear

Include swimwear for Dubai’s beaches, public pools and waterparks, where it is considered appropriate.


Light layer

Carry a light layer for cool air-conditioned interiors, including malls and indoor attractions, after spending time in the heat.


Travel adapter

Take a travel adapter for UK-style three-pin sockets; check your device’s voltage compatibility before you travel.

Harees is a slow-cooked dish of wheat and meat, often served during Ramadan and at celebrations. The ingredients cook together until they soften into a smooth, porridge-like texture. Try it as a hearty introduction to Emirati home cooking and local food traditions.
Harees

Other things to know about Dubai before you go

Use a Nol card for public transport, and carry AED for everyday payments. Arabic is official, while signs also use English. Check current entry requirements for your passport and keep it valid well beyond your travel dates.

Dubai holiday packages?

Flights, hotels and transfers to Dubai in one clear price,

        planned with a South African travel expert.

Harees is a slow-cooked dish of wheat and meat, often served during Ramadan and at celebrations. The ingredients cook together until they soften into a smooth, porridge-like texture. Try it as a hearty introduction to Emirati home cooking and local food traditions.
Harees

Places to visit in Dubai

Harees is a slow-cooked dish of wheat and meat, often served during Ramadan and at celebrations. The ingredients cook together until they soften into a smooth, porridge-like texture. Try it as a hearty introduction to Emirati home cooking and local food traditions.
Harees

Why would you go on holidays in Dubai?

The best time to visit Dubai depends on how much time you want to spend outdoors. From October to May, temperatures range from 20°C to 35°C, making it easier to plan walks around Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi and the Marina. These months suit days built around neighbourhoods, waterside routes and open-air sights, with time to stop in cafés along the way.

June to September brings hotter conditions. Visit Dubai’s monthly weather guide lists an average temperature of 35°C for August, while a separate city guide gives a summer figure of 41°C. Treat the higher number as a broad indication of daytime heat rather than a daily mean. Plan outdoor visits earlier or later, and leave time for indoor breaks.

Begin in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, where narrow lanes and wind-tower houses recall an earlier style of architecture. From there, walk towards Dubai Creek and cross by abra. On the opposite banks, Deira and Bur Dubai connect the old quarters with souks and waterside activity. The boat crossing is short, but gives you a close view of the creek.

Dubai’s skyline gives the city a very different character. Burj Khalifa rises more than 800 metres, with observation decks on levels 124 and 125 and another on level 148. From the viewing platforms, look across the city towards the coastline and the desert beyond. Its height makes it a clear landmark as you move around Downtown Dubai.

At Dubai Marina, follow the seven-kilometre waterfront promenade past palm trees, cafés and restaurants. The route gives you a relaxed way to see the towers and boats from ground level. You can pause for a meal or continue along the waterway as the district changes around you. It also offers a long, easy walk beside the marina.

The emirate has a 72-kilometre coastline, adding beach time to a city stay. Public beaches and waterfront districts sit alongside busy roads and high-rise areas. If you are planning a day by the water, pack swimwear and sunglasses for the sunshine. You can combine the coast with city sights rather than treating Dubai as only an urban destination.

For a different landscape, head to Hatta, around a 90-minute drive from Dubai. Hatta Dam offers kayaking, while nearby trails are used for hiking and mountain biking. The Hajar Mountains create a setting for outdoor activity that contrasts with the city’s towers and coastline. Allow time for the drive as well as the activities once you arrive.

Local food adds another thread to a Dubai visit. Try harees, a slow-cooked combination of wheat and meat, or machboos, seasoned rice served with meat or fish. For something sweet, look for luqaimat, small fried dough balls finished with date syrup and sesame. These dishes offer a taste of Emirati cooking among the city’s many dining influences.

Use a Nol card for public transport, and keep some United Arab Emirates dirhams for everyday payments. Arabic is the official language, while road and commercial signs also appear in English. A travel adapter is useful because Dubai uses UK-style three-pin sockets, with a 220–240 volt electrical supply.

The best time to visit Dubai also depends on the balance you want between outdoor plans and indoor attractions. The cooler months from October to May make walking routes more comfortable, while the hotter period from June to September calls for a slower pace and breaks indoors. Check the monthly forecast before choosing dates for a beach or desert outing.