Visit Dubai, UAE

Once a small fishing village and vital desert trading hub on the coast of the Gulf, Dubai has transformed into a global metropolis, a “city of gold” rising from the sands like a vision of the future. You’d be forgiven for thinking that a visit here would be all about its sky-scraping superstructures, opulent resorts, and man-made archipelagos, but there’s also a cultural richness and historical depth that makes it well worth an extended stay.

If you can tear yourself away from the pristine beaches, world-class restaurants, and lavish hotels, you can dip into the city’s history by wandering between the wind towers of historic Al Fahidi or exploring the spice-laden alleys and kaleidoscopic souqs of Deira. Alternatively, you could head into the Arabian Desert, driving out from the city to experience soaring dunes, Bedouin culture, and indigenous wildlife, before feasting on traditional meals under starry skies.

It’s only when you’ve sailed the Gulf on a wooden dhow, bartered in the historic souqs, wandered the maze-like sandstone alleyways of Al Fahidi, and eaten under the stars in the desert that you begin to truly understand Dubai beyond its glitz and glamour.

UAE specialist Alec

Beautiful beaches

Dubai’s beaches are where golden sands meet sapphire seas, a coastline carved from the desert and crowned with luxury. From the buzzing atmosphere of Jumeirah Beach, where rollerbladers glide past cafes and art installations, to the serene shores of Al Sufouh, with its unmatched views of the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah, each beach has its own rhythm. Kite Beach hums with adventure, its skies dotted with vibrant sails, while La Mer flaunts its chic soul with murals and boutiques. And, just offshore, the private beaches of The Palm are a pristine sculpture of velvet sand and opulent beach clubs.

The treasures of Old Dubai

Wandering through Old Dubai is like stepping into a living tapestry of spice-laden air, golden lanterns, and haggled trades. You can weave through the alleys of Al Fahidi, past wind towers and quiet courtyards, in the company of a local Emirati guide who’ll explain the historic culture and traditions here. Alternatively, the vibrant souqs of Deira immerse you in the city’s rich trading heritage, where the scent of oud drifts through the air and sacks of spices, reams of fabrics, and glimmering stalls of gold and silver jostle for space in the ornate alleyways. Meanwhile, traditional wooden abras (small ferry-like boats) will glide you along Dubai Creek.

The Arabian Desert

Spending time in the desert on a trip to Dubai offers a period of complete contrast, where city noise is replaced by the rhythm of shifting sands and starlit stillness. Whether taking a vintage Land Rover safari drive or exhilarating 4x4 dune-bashing trip, experiencing the Bedouin art of archery or feasting beside a quiet campfire, the desert has a way of drawing you in. You can stay overnight among this salient serenity at Al Maha, an opulent camp within a conservation reserve that offers camel treks, dune drives, and falconry alongside sophisticated Bedouin-style villas with private pools.

Highlight attractions

Dubai buzzes with sights that blend futuristic wonder and rich tradition. You’ll find floral fantasies at Dubai Miracle Garden, where millions of blooms form giant sculptures. Alternatively, you could immerse yourself in Islamic architecture at Jumeirah Mosque, the oldest in the city and best visited at sunset as the white stone glows under the golden light. Or, wander the pearlescent Grand Mosque, with its striking blue tiles and impressive prayer hall. Then there’s the more outlandish experiences, like watching the Dubai Fountain dance, skiing indoors at the Mall of the Emirates, or braving one of the largest shopping experiences in the world at The Dubai Mall.

City museums

There are two museums in Dubai that will give you a closer look into the culture of this region. The Dubai Museum sits within Al Fahidi Fort, which was built in 1787 and is the oldest building in Dubai. This museum focuses on traditional Emirati life before the oil boom and includes immersive displays on Bedouin culture, pearl diving, souq trading, and desert life. Meanwhile, just a 10-minute drive away, the Museum of the Future sits within a state-of-the-art architectural sculpture, and showcases interactive, futuristic experiences exploring space travel, climate restoration, artificial intelligence, and wellness within an imagined journey to 2071.

Alserkal Avenue

Dubai’s beating heart of contemporary culture, Alserkal Avenue is a creative district in Al Quoz that blends art, design, food, and film. You’ll find some of the Middle East’s most prestigious art galleries here, showcasing both regional and international work. These include The Third Line, a leading platform for Arab artists, the Leila Heller gallery, which blends global and local talent with its often-provocative exhibitions, and Carbon 12, which focuses on conceptual and minimalist modern global art. Alongside these, you’ll find Cinema Akil, Dubai’s only independent arthouse cinema, and a plethora of concept stores, boutiques, eateries, and coffee houses.

Burj Khalifa

Inspired by the Hymenocallis desert flower, this spiraling phenomenon of concrete and steel is the tallest building in the world and an enticing symbol of the UAE. It took six years to build, measuring in at 828 m (2,717 ft), and is a pinnacle of modern engineering, designed to withstand high winds and extreme desert heat. You can soar up to the highest observation deck in the world on the 148th floor with a VIP experience that gives you access to an exclusive level and extraordinary 360-degree views.

Sophisticated hotels

Sleep in the sands or wake by the sea… Dubai’s hotels offer gateways to a world of indulgence. On the beach, you’ll find ultra-private opulence at the One&Only, nestled at the tip of The Palm with Michelin-star dining. Alternatively, there’s lavish beachfront cabanas, top-tier restaurants, and a sophisticated spa at the Four Seasons. Overwater villas and lagoon rooms at the tropical island-inspired Anantara contrast with the lush gardens, expansive beachfront, and Romanesque spa of Le Royal Meridien. Cityside, there’s the Palace Downtown, which offers a design that’s more sympathetic to traditional architecture, or the casual cosmopolitan atmosphere of JA Ocean View.

Best time to visit Dubai

We recommend visiting Dubai between September and April, when it’s sunny but not too hot. The beaches are warm, but you can also explore the city and the desert comfortably. Temperatures soar from May to August, so hotel prices drop and crowds disperse. This is a good time to visit if your focus is on air-conditioned malls, galleries, or museums.

Festivals, events and seasonal reasons to visit

• Billed as the world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup is the city’s pre-eminent social event.
• The Dubai Tennis Championship is a renowned international tennis tournament.
• Dubai Jazz Festival sees a month of performances by some of the genre’s leading artists.
• Taste of Dubai culinary festival hosts celebrity chefs, tastings, and live music.
• The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is a prestigious golf tournament.
• A month-long event with steep discounts in shops, the Dubai Shopping Festival offers fireworks, daily giveaways of gold bars and cars, as well as over-the-top stunts like the world’s largest incense burner or the world’s longest buffet.