Luxury Dubai Holidays 2025 & 2026

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.