Dubai
Subtlety is not the house style: Dubai's rooftops compete on altitude, infinity pools and unobstructed Burj Khalifa views, and everybody wins except your bank balance.
- Best forLuxury seekers · Nightlife · Couples
- In July42°C · barely any rain
- Ideal stay3-5 nights
- Approx. flying time~16h 30m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyAEDUAE dirham
- LanguageArabic
- Local time13:233h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType GUK plugs fit
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+971
Why go
Dubai builds its identity on scale and speed: a fishing town turned skyline in barely two generations, with the Burj Khalifa still the world's tallest building and ambitions that show no sign of slowing. Beyond the rooftops, the city runs on contrasts, with the old creek-side souks and abra crossings sitting a short taxi ride from air-conditioned malls that hold indoor ski slopes and aquariums. The desert starts almost at the city limits, making a dune drive or overnight camp an easy addition.
A long weekend covers the main sights comfortably; a week allows a day or two in the desert or a beach club to balance the sightseeing. Winter, November to March, is by far the most comfortable season, with terraces and outdoor dining genuinely pleasant; summer heat pushes most life indoors. Alcohol is available in licensed hotel bars and restaurants but not sold freely elsewhere, which shapes the nightlife scene.
- Ideal stay
- 3-5 nights
- The vibe
- Glossy, ambitious, larger than life
From our guides
Licensing keeps the bars inside hotels, which at least guarantees air-conditioned lifts. Book a terrace facing Downtown for the fountain show, which fires every thirty minutes from 6pm, and come between November and March — in August the 'golden hour' is a 42-degree furnace and half the terraces sensibly close.
Featured in Ten rooftop-bar cities for golden-hour drinks
Things to do
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Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building, with observation decks and a choreographed fountain show at its base running every half hour after dark.
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Dubai Creek and the souks
The old trading heart of the city, crossed by traditional wooden abras carrying passengers across the water for a small fare.
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Jumeirah Beach
A long public beach with the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel visible along the coast, popular for an early morning walk.
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Dubai Mall and Fountain
A vast retail complex beside a large choreographed fountain show that runs each evening, drawing crowds along the waterfront promenade.
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Desert safari
Dune-bashing, camel rides and a Bedouin-style camp, usually booked as a half-day trip out of the city in the late afternoon.
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Al Fahidi Historic District
Restored wind-tower houses and courtyards surviving from the city's pre-oil past, now home to small museums and galleries.
Getting there
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Fly to
Dubai (DXB)
Nearest airport to Dubai, about 27km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Dubai
Al Maktoum (DWC) is about 45 minutes by taxi from Downtown Dubai. Most flights use Dubai International, which is 20 minutes out and on the Metro.
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On the ground
Getting around
The Metro's Red Line runs the length of Sheikh Zayed Road, but taxis are cheap and the walk between towers is longer and hotter than it looks.
Public transport: Metro, tram and buses are clean and cheap, though they do not reach everywhere and taxis fill the gaps.
Flights
Los Angeles Dubai, UAE
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Roughly 16h 30m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
Check dates and prices
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 25°C in January to 42°C in August. Rain is rare in any month.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
July42° · no rainHot and dry.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — November to April. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Overwhelmingly big hotels, from beach resorts to serviced apartments and business towers. Bars sit inside hotels by law, so where you sleep shapes where you drink.
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Best base overall
Downtown Dubai
By the Burj Khalifa and the fountains, with the metro and the mall on foot. Rates are the city's highest and the area is a building site in places.
Find stays in Downtown Dubai -
Best for nightlife
Dubai Marina and JBR
Beach, promenade, rooftop bars and brunches within walking distance, which is rare here. Heavy traffic and a long metro ride to the old city.
Find stays in Dubai Marina and JBR -
Best with children
Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim
Low-rise beach hotels near the water park and the public beaches, calmer than the Marina. You will be in taxis for most things.
Find stays in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim -
Best value
Deira and Bur Dubai
The old city on both sides of the creek, with the souks, abra boats and rooms at a fraction of the beach rate. No beach, older buildings, and a different crowd.
Find stays in Deira and Bur Dubai
Worth knowing before you book: November to March is peak with rates to match, and Ramadan changes opening hours and daytime service. Summer is cheap because it is genuinely too hot.
Search everything else in Dubai by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Dubai International is one of the world's busiest hubs, with direct flights from most major UK airports.
- Etiquette
- Modest dress is expected outside beach clubs and hotel pools, particularly in older districts and malls.
- Timing
- November to March offers comfortable temperatures; summer heat regularly exceeds 40°C.
- Cash or card
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though small change for the metro or taxis is useful.
- Driving
- Taxis and the metro cover most of the city well; a hire car suits desert excursions better.
Nearby destinations
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
For warm, mostly dry days, November to April. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 25°C in January to 42°C in August. Rain is rare in any month.
How long should I spend in Dubai?
Our suggestion: 3-5 nights.
How do I get to Dubai?
Al Maktoum (DWC) is about 45 minutes by taxi from Downtown Dubai. Most flights use Dubai International, which is 20 minutes out and on the Metro.
Do I need a car in Dubai?
No. Metro, tram and buses are clean and cheap, though they do not reach everywhere and taxis fill the gaps.
What currency and language are used in Dubai?
Currency: UAE dirham (AED). Language: Arabic. Plugs: type G.
Who is Dubai best for?
Best for luxury seekers, nightlife and couples. In a phrase: glossy, ambitious, larger than life.