Where to go in Dubai 2025 & 2026
Dubai travel information
When to visit Dubai
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- Time zone: +4 GMT
- Flight time: 7-8 hours
- Recommended airlines: Emirates, British Airways
- Currency: UAE Dirham
- Tipping guideline: 10-15% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is no risk of yellow fever in UAE, however, yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Capital: Dubai
- Population: 3.67001e+006
- National languages: Arabic, English
- Electricity and plugs: Type G, 220-240V AC
- Mobile phone coverage: Excellent
- UK passport visa requirements: You need a visa for United Arab Emirates if you have a British passport - on arrival for a maximum of 30 days
Beach Holiday
Beach worshippers can regale beautiful shores, each offering their own variety of land activities, watersports and pockets of shaded bliss. Unearth the crescent-shaped splendour of Sunset Beach, Dubai's only surfing beach. Ride the waves and dip a toe into the specially designed floodlit area, for some daring nighttime swimming.
Designed to emulate the traditional Arab sailing vessel of the dhow, the elegant Burj Al Arab oozes opulence and stands tall against the city's dramatic skyline. Take an afternoon tea in extraordinary settings amidst decadent interiors.
Epitomising luxury, Dubai is home to two stunning One&Only resorts: One&Only The Palm and One&Only Royal Mirage, offering elegant accommodation, exquisite dining options and glorious beachfront locations.
Culture
Culture can be uncovered at every corner of this bustling city, with vibrant art festivals and colourful art galleries to uncover. Visit the Middle Eastern exhibitions of the Meem Gallery or the distinctive Mottahedan Projects, where Mottahedan’s motto is ’Artists who do unconventional things are the ones that make it’.
Continuing the cultural tour, take a trip to the popular historical Dubai Museum which showcases Dubai's journey from a humble fishing village to a giant cosmopolitan city. Located in the ambient 18th century Al Fahidi Fort, explore the traditional architecture of Dubai's oldest remaining structure.
For foodies, Dubai has some of the best restaurants in the world.
Shopping
Dubai is famous for its larger than life shopping precincts but if you take a little stroll down Jumeirah Beach Road, you can seek out the smaller, indie boutiques for some hidden treasures.
After a day discovering retail gems, spend some quality time together in the private villas of Beit Al Bahar Villas. Guests receive unlimited access to the nearby Wild Wadi Water Park for some fun-filled family fun.
There is so much on offer to suit every style. From world-renowned golf courses to skiing jaunts, to enchanting excursions such as swimming with dolphins, Dubai is an inspiring city, where anything is possible.
We take pride in our ability to offer luxury holidays to unrivalled resorts and desired holiday destinations all around the globe. Our dedicated in-house team hand-pick only the most exquisite hotels, to provide unique bespoke experiences.
No matter what magical moments you wish to uncover, Inspiring Travel company will provide you with an all-access pass to the best experiences Dubai has to offer.
General information about your holiday to Dubai
Time difference: Dubai is four hours ahead of the UK (GMT+4 hours)
Flight duration: The flight to Dubai is about 7 hours long.
Currency: The UAE dirham is accepted.
Language: The official language used in Dubai is Arabic, however English is also spoken.
When is the best time to travel to Dubai?
The winter months are the best time to visit Dubai, though late autumn and early spring are just as tempting. The months between October and April offers warm temperatures and little rainfall, making for a great half-term or Christmas spot for families.
October can reach highs of up to 35°C, with average temperatures dipping to pleasant mid-twenties in January, before warming up again. Summer, from June to September, can be very hot, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40°C - though air-conditioned shopping malls and indoor theme parks can be enjoyed if you do wish to visit in these months.
The best things to do in Dubai
Beaches
Dubai has a trove of golden sand beaches to enjoy, each offering an array of leisure activities, including plenty of watersports. Unearth the crescent-shaped splendour of Sunset Beach, Dubai's only surfing beach. Jumeirah Beach is a highly sought after spot, set against the iconic skyline and with views of Burj Al Arab. The Palm Islands are also popular with beach lovers, with long stretches of man-made shores peppered with exclusive beach villas and luxury hotels.
Theme parks
Families will love the rides and attractions of IMG Worlds of Adventure, MOTIONGATE Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai and Play DXB. There's also the Wild Wadi Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark, the latter offering free entry to guests of Atlantis, the Palm. There's even the indoor ski slopes and skydiving at Ski Dubai and Skydive Dubai respectively to cool down at!
Iconic landmarks
Designed to emulate the traditional Arab sailing vessel of the dhow, the elegant Burj Al Arab oozes opulence and stands tall against the city's dramatic skyline. Take an afternoon tea in an extraordinary setting amidst decadent interiors and enjoy the panoramic views.
Another icon of the city is the Burj Khalifa. This is the tallest building in the world at 2,700ft high, and makes for a seriously impressive sight. It sits along the Burj Khalifa Lake in downtown, where you can also see the world's tallest performing fountain.
Shopping
The city is famous for having one of the world's largest shopping mall with the Dubai Mall, while City Walk offers even more designer stores alongside incredible restaurants and entertainment. But, if you take a little stroll down Jumeirah Beach Road, you can seek out the smaller boutiques for some hidden treasures.
Desert adventures
Head into the Arabian Desert for dune bashing, 4X4 safaris, sand boarding and stargazing under the inky night sky. Combine your stay in the city with a night of desert glamping for something a little different.
Culture
Culture can be uncovered across this bustling city, with vibrant art festivals and colourful art galleries to uncover. Visit the Middle Eastern exhibitions of the Meem Gallery or the distinctive Mottahedan Projects, where Mottahedan's motto is 'Artists who do unconventional things are the ones that make it'.
Continuing the cultural tour, take a trip to the popular historical Dubai Museum. Located in the ambient 18th century Al Fahidi Fort, explore the traditional architecture of the city's oldest remaining structure.
What to eat and drink in Dubai
Foodies will find an exquisite choice of restaurants to enjoy. Enjoy world-class dining and gourmet cuisine with Michelin-starred and celebrity restaurants at every corner of the city. You can explore a melting pot of the world’s most vibrant cuisines in this city that is home to over 180 nationalities.
Some of the award-winning restaurants include:
- Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace
- Nobu Dubai at Atlantis
- PierChic at Madinat Jumeirah
- Buddha-Bar at the Grosvenor House Hotel
- Tasca by Jose Avillez at Mandarin Oriental Dubai
As a family-friendly place to visit, there are plenty of child-friendly restaurant menus - ask our Travel Specialists for more advice.
Transport & getting around on your holiday in Dubai
It's easy to get around, with taxis readily available to book. Most luxury hotels will arrange transfers, for you, and many provide a free shuttle service to the shopping malls.
If you're staying on the Palm, it can take longer to get into the main city area. The Marina is the best place to stay for easy access to the city's bars, restaurants and shops.
Would you like to speak to a Dubai expert?
Contact our Travel Specialists for a bespoke quote or some first-hand knowledge.
Christmas Eve: 9am - 3pm
New Years Eve: 9am - 3pm
25th Dec, 26th Dec & 1 Jan: CLOSED
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
