Plan your Dubai trip
Honest, evergreen guides to Dubai's brunches, rooftops, beach clubs and neighbourhoods: what to expect, when to go, what to wear and where to book.
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Best Fine-Dining Restaurants in Dubai: A Visitor's Guide
Six fine-dining restaurants in Dubai: cuisine, room, setting, dress code and who each suits, from a Level 54 room in Downtown to a J1 Beach table in Jumeirah.
Best Lounges in Dubai: Stylish Spots for a Night Out
Dubai lounges for visitors, from sky terraces (Level 43, Pure Sky) to neighbourhood rooms in JLT and Madinat Jumeirah: music, dress codes and who each one suits.
Best Nightlife in Downtown Dubai: Sky Lounges & Late-Night Spots
Sky lounges, clubs and late-night venues around the Burj Khalifa, Business Bay and Al Habtoor City: dress codes, who each suits, and how to plan a Downtown Dubai evening.
Best Pool & Beach Day Passes in Dubai
Six pool and beach day passes in Dubai, from the rooftop pools at Address Sky View and Address Beach Resort to the beach clubs on the Marina and Jumeirah coast: who each suits and how to choose.
Best Restaurants for a Special Occasion in Dubai
Where to book an anniversary, birthday or celebration dinner in Dubai: seven restaurants with the setting, service and atmosphere that make a night feel like an occasion.
Best Sky Bars & Rooftop Lounges in Dubai (With Views)
Dubai's sky bars and rooftop lounges compared by view, dress code and season, from the Burj Khalifa terrace at Address Sky View to the 77th-floor infinity edge in JBR.
Best Views in Dubai: Observation Decks, Sky Lounges & Vantage Points
The Burj Khalifa's 124th floor, the Palm's own deck, Ain Dubai, the Dubai Frame, three sky lounges, and the waterfront viewpoints in Dubai that cost nothing.
Best Waterfront Dining Dubai: Marina, Creek, Palm & Beach
The best waterfront restaurants in Dubai by area (Dubai Marina, the Creek, Palm Jumeirah and JBR beach), with booking and dinner-cruise tips.
Business Bay Guide: Canal Views, Dining & Where to Stay
Business Bay sits beside Downtown Dubai with striking canal views, a growing restaurant scene and solid-value hotels. Here's what to expect and who it suits.
Deira & Old Dubai Guide: Souks, the Creek & Heritage
Deira and Al Fahidi preserve historic Dubai: gold and spice souks, the Creek, abra crossings and heritage museums. Here's what to see, where to eat and how to get there.
DIFC Guide: Dubai's Art, Dining & Design District
A visitor's guide to DIFC, Dubai's financial and cultural district: Gate Village galleries, fine dining, the smart dress scene, and how to get there.
Downtown Dubai Guide: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall & Where to Eat
A visitor's guide to Downtown Dubai: the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall, rooftop dining, and how to get there and make the most of the area.
Dubai 5-Day Itinerary: The Perfect First-Timer's Plan
A day-by-day Dubai itinerary for first-time visitors: Burj Khalifa, Old Dubai souks, Palm Jumeirah, desert safari and the Marina, all in five days.
Dubai Desert Safari Guide: Types, What to Expect & How to Choose
Everything first-time visitors need to know about Dubai desert safaris: morning, evening and overnight options, what happens on each, what to wear, and when to go.
Dubai Dress Codes Explained: What to Wear Where
Dubai dining and going-out dress codes explained: beachwear, smart casual, smart-elegant and glamorous, with a real venue example for each and the cultural basics.
Dubai eSIM & Connectivity: Staying Online as a Visitor
eSIM vs local SIM vs roaming in Dubai: what works, what it costs, the VoIP calling restriction, and how to keep maps, ride-hailing and messaging running without a surprise phone bill.
Dubai Food Guide: What to Eat & the City's Best Cuisines
From Emirati machboos to Japanese omakase, this Dubai food guide covers every cuisine, neighbourhood, and dining style a visitor needs to know.
Dubai in December: Festive Season, Weather & New Year's Eve
A visitor's guide to Dubai in December: the best weather of the year, National Day, the festive season and New Year's Eve, with what to expect, what things cost and what to book months ahead.
Dubai in November: Weather, What to Do & What to Book Early
A visitor's guide to Dubai in November, the month the outdoors reopens: weather, beaches, terraces, events season, what to pack and what to reserve before you fly.
Dubai Marina Going-Out Guide: Beach Days & Evenings
Going out in Dubai Marina: the 3 km canal and Marina Walk, JBR's beach across the road, Metro and tram links, and two beach and pool venues for a day-to-night plan.
Dubai on a Budget: How to Visit Without Overspending
How to visit Dubai without overspending: free sights, cheap eats, the Metro and Nol card, shoulder-season timing and the cheaper areas to stay, all in one guide.
Dubai Water Parks & Aquariums: The Complete Visitor Guide
Everything you need to plan a visit to Aquaventure, Wild Wadi, Laguna, Dubai Aquarium, and The Lost Chambers: tips, what to expect, and how to book.
Dubai With Kids: A Family Guide to the Best Things to Do
Plan a family trip to Dubai: waterparks, aquariums, theme parks, indoor attractions for the hot months, beaches, and where to eat with children.
Free Things to Do in Dubai: 15 Great Days Out for £0
Fifteen free days out in Dubai: public beaches, the Al Fahidi heritage lanes, the Dubai Fountain, the Deira souks, the abra crossing and the Ras Al Khor flamingo hides.
Getting Around Dubai: Metro, Taxis, Nol Cards & Transfers
How to get around Dubai as a visitor: the Metro and Nol cards, taxis and ride-hailing, airport transfers, and what each costs between the beaches, Downtown and the Marina.
Is Dubai Expensive? An Honest Cost Guide for Visitors
Where the money goes on a Dubai trip: hotels, dining, transport, attractions and shopping, with the 5% VAT, service charges and seasonal swings that decide the total.
JBR & The Walk Guide: Beach, Dining & Things to Do
JBR's free public beach, the 1.7 km Walk promenade behind it, where to eat along the strip, how to arrive by tram, and the footbridge to Ain Dubai on Bluewaters Island.
Jumeirah Guide: Beaches, Burj Al Arab & Old-Coast Charm
Kite Beach, Jumeirah Open Beach, where to photograph the Burj Al Arab for free, Madinat Jumeirah's souk, and how to reach Dubai's low-rise coastline without a Metro stop.
Palm Jumeirah Dining Guide: Where to Eat on Dubai's Island
Where to eat on Palm Jumeirah: restaurants and beach clubs on the West Crescent and at West Beach, how the island is laid out, and how to arrive by monorail or taxi.
The Best Beach Clubs in Dubai (Visitor's Guide)
Dubai's best beach and pool clubs: where they are, how a day works, what to wear, and how to pick between the Marina, Palm Jumeirah and the Jumeirah coast.
The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Dubai (Visitor's Guide)
Where to find Dubai's best rooftop dining: skyline views, infinity pools and high-floor restaurants across Downtown, JBR, the Marina and Palm Jumeirah, with what to expect and how to book.
The Best Time to Visit Dubai: Season-by-Season Guide for Visitors
When to visit Dubai: how the seasons, weather, Ramadan and peak periods compare, so first-time visitors can pick the right month for beach days, sightseeing and value.
Things to Do in Dubai: 20 Best Experiences for First-Time Visitors
A first-timer's guide to Dubai's 20 best experiences, from Burj Khalifa and desert safaris to beach clubs, dhow cruises and the Museum of the Future.
Visiting Dubai During Ramadan: What to Expect
Visiting Dubai during Ramadan: what changes for visitors, how iftar and suhoor work, daytime etiquette, what stays open, and whether it is worth the trip.
What to Pack for Dubai: A Season-by-Season List
What to pack for Dubai, season by season: clothing for heat and air conditioning, a Type G adapter, SPF 50, an eSIM, and the extras if your trip falls in Ramadan.
Where to Stay in Dubai: Palm vs Marina vs Downtown (and Who Each Suits)
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina or Downtown: how the three compare on beach access, Metro links, dining and pace, and which one suits a first Dubai trip.
Your First 3 Days in Dubai: An Eating & Going-Out Plan
A three-day plan for first-time visitors to Dubai: one district per day across Downtown, the Marina and the Palm, with what to book ahead and how to get around.