By Donna Richardson
Dubai, a dazzling jewel of the United Arab Emirates, enchants visitors with its luxury and iconic skyline. Whether you’re there for the thrilling Dubai World Cup or the Rugby Sevens, or planning a longer stay to explore its vibrant culture, shopping and nightlife, this city promises unforgettable experiences. To help you make the most of your journey, we’ve created this essential guide.
Dubai is often referred to as the “Manhattan of the Middle East” due to its stunning modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and extravagant brunches at high-end hotels. Frequently called the shopping capital of the world, Dubai boasts malls that feature indoor ski resorts and souks dedicated to gold and diamonds. It is home to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world, and The Palm, a series of man-made islands shaped like a palm tree.
When it comes to five-star hotels, there are hundreds of luxury offerings in Dubai – but the city is famous for the Burj Al Arab, the world’s only seven-star hotel. With 119 Michelin-rated restaurants, including two three-Michelin-star establishments, according to the 2025 Michelin Guide for Dubai, you can also enjoy the best meals on the planet. Visitors can enjoy an upscale yacht marina, exclusive clubs featuring luxury designers, and unparalleled nightlife. Dazzling days can be spent lounging by shimmering infinity pools, and as night falls, the party begins.
Where to stay
Dubai has many established hotels and loads of new ones opening all the time, Here’s some of our favourites.
Burj Al Arab
We love the Burj Al Arab – the world’s only seven-star hotel, owned by the Jumeirah group. This iconic building is shaped like a sail and set on its mini island. Inside its gilded gold hall entrance hall, and as soon as you step into the most exclusive hotels on the globe, you know this is somewhere special. With its own private beach, behind the sail you’ll find elegant suites, acclaimed dining, including Michelin-starred Al Muntaha, an award-winning spa, and the stylish Sal beach club with infinite views of the Arabian gulf. Guests can land on the private helipad. During their stay, guests can sip Champagne or book on world’s most indulgent afternoon teas, with an incredible view of the city below from the sky bar.
Atlantis the Palm
The Palm Atlantis Hotel is an iconic pink palace that rises from the Arabian Gulf, offering stunning views of Dubai’s skyline. It serves as the centrepiece of Palm Jumeirah Island, designed by Nakheel as part of an artificial archipelago resembling a palm tree with 17 fronds coming out of the Atlantis. Located off Al Sufouh Road near Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah features luxurious beachfront properties, including a seven-bedroom villa owned by the Beckhams. The exclusive apartments on the trunk offer breathtaking views of the sea and skyline.
Additionally, the hotels along the crescent offer various entertainment options, with Nobu serving as the hotel’s flagship restaurant, known for its exceptional Japanese cuisine.
Raffles Dubai
Inspired by the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Raffles Dubai is shaped like one and is connected to the WAFI, allowing high-end guests to partake in some shopping. There are seven restaurants in the hotel, including a high-end Japanese one called Tomo and an Italian Solo where you can have a sambuca-flamed pizza. Furthermore, it is conveniently located near all the main attractions, from Dubai Creek to the Burj Khalifa, and is just a 10-minute drive from the airport. Raffles also has an address on the Palm.
The Address Downtown
The Address Downtown is a 63-story, 302.2 m hotel – one of Dubai’s iconic landmarks. It has 220 guest rooms and suites complete with Hollywood mirrors and L-shaped sofa seating areas. The marble bathrooms are fitted with dual sinks, a bathtub and a rain shower. Guests can choose among nine unique restaurant concepts, serving a variety of cuisines from Asian to Latino, as well as local Middle Eastern specialities. The in-house Neos Bar is located on the 63rd floor and overlooks the ever-changing Dubai skyline and Dubai Fountain View. There’s an exclusive spa with nine treatment rooms.
The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, also part of the Jumeriah group, is an 830-metre-tall skyscraper that pierces the clouds above the city, also filled with high-rises that pale in this mighty tower’s wake. At the top is a viewing platform, where you can gaze out over the Dubai landscape, which has undergone constant evolution over the years.
The Armani Hotel
The Armani Hotel is attached to the building, one of the exclusive places for fashion-conscious travellers to rest their weary heads. With various room options from the Deluxe and Classic Rooms to the Premiere, Fountain, Executive, Ambassador, and Signature Suites. On the ground floor at the foot of the building outside is a dancing fountain, modelled on the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which is a truly spellbinding experience to watch.
Jumeriah Marsa Al Arab
A vibrant new lifestyle destination has opened, showcasing the warmth of Arabian hospitality. Designed by architect Shaun Killa, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab boasts 386 rooms and suites, 82 luxurious residences, and an impressive 82-berth superyacht marina. Guests can relax in five beautiful pools surrounded by lush gardens and enjoy a selection of 11 restaurants and nine elegant bars, crafted by renowned designers. Every room and residence offers stunning views of the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and the sparkling Arabian Gulf. The resort also features a serene 3,500 square meter spa across three levels, including female-only spaces and 13 treatment suites, each with a private terrace overlooking the picturesque Arabian Peninsula.
The Bitmore Hotel Villas
Since opening in February, The Biltmore Hotel Villas, operated by Millennium Hotels and Resorts, offers three- to five-bedroom villas. Amenities include two restaurants, a fitness center, a cinema, and an outdoor pool with a Jacuzzi. The villas, close to Al Barha near the Mall of the Emirates, feature high-tech kitchens, washer/dryers, and complimentary wireless internet.
Mama Shelter
Designed with young and solo travellers in mind, the funky Mama Shelter hotel brand has brought its affordable and edgy style to Business Bay. Opened in December 2024, the four-star ‘lifestyle’ hotel has 197 rooms and 204 residences with cutting-edge elements by Mama’s Design Studio, as well as four swimming pools, a multi-purpose gym, outdoor cinema and an Italian trattoria-style restaurant.
Al Marsoom Domes by Ocean Air Travels
The first luxury domes have launched in the heart of Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve in Dubai. Al Marmoom Domes by OceanAir Travels is a luxury and experiential resort offering guests unparalleled comfort set within a breathtaking desert oasis. The private domes boast stunning 360-degree views, while visitors can also enjoy exceptional dining and activities including stargazing, horse riding, cultural workshops and nature trails.
Vida Dubai Mall
A recent addition to Downtown Dubai’s skyline, Vida Dubai Mall, offers direct access to one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations. The property houses 195 rooms and suites as well as 620 one- to four-bedroom serviced apartments. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, an international restaurant, co-working space and more.
Amar Luxury Desert Ecolodge
Located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Amar Luxury Desert Ecolodge by Magic Travels, is an eco-conscious desert retreat with 10 private deluxe tents. Blending authentic Bedouin traditions with luxury, the five-star property offers more than 10 curated desert activities and an on-site signature restaurant, Dar al Amar.
Mandarin Oriental
Opening this summer, the 303-metre Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai will feature the region’s tallest ceramic façade, 259 rooms and suites, along with 224 exclusive residences. It will also have three fine dining restaurants, a helipad, and a spa spanning two floors.
Delano Dubai
Luxury international hotel chain Delano has opened its Dubai flagship property on Bluewaters Island. The Delano Dubai boasts 251 guestrooms and suites – some with private pools – as well as a penthouse, ocean-front swimming pool, and a range of dining concepts.New attractions and openings
A dhow cruise is one of the most popular things for visitors to do in Dubai – and there’s a new option which redefines the traditional activity. The ‘Nara on the Sea’ experience takes place aboard the Lady Nara, a custom-built luxury dhow with both upper and lower deck dining areas, a lounge, and a state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen. Guests can book a two-hour cruise, at either sunset or dinner, and enjoy fine dining and views of the Dubai skyline and city landmarks.
Located at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai, Casa Amor brings a bohemian beach house experience from the south of France to Dubai. Visitors can expect a fusion of cultures with a menu that incorporates French flavours and subtle Latin American influences, a décor of bleached wood with earthy textures and a warm, lively ambience – all framed by the beautiful Arabian Gulf.
Ain Dubai has officially reopened and although it is not a new attraction, this bucket-list experience should be on every tourist’s checklist. Located on Bluewaters Island, the giant observation wheel stands at a staggering height of 250m, making it the highest and largest of its kind in the world. During the 38-minute ride visitors can see the city’s beautiful coastline, Dubai Marina’s sleek sights and dreamy glimpses of famous landmarks such as Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa.
A new sightseeing bus – Dubai On and Off – has hit the streets of Dubai, making it very convenient to explore the city, with the route covering eight top attractions like Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame and Gold Souk. Dubai On & Off Bus by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) is available every 60 minutes from Dubai Mall and offers easy connections to abra rides around Dubai Creek. Tickets are priced at £7 per person for the full day and come with the flexibility of getting on and off as many times as one may like.
Recently opened at the Dubai Mall’s Chinatown, House of Hype blends entertainment, gaming, fashion, and food. Delivering more than 100 adventures designed for trendsetters, foodies, families, aspiring stars and gaming enthusiasts, House of Hype features 18 immersive worlds, 50 gaming experiences, 55 content creator stages, 14 exclusive shopping destinations and six dining venues.
The neighbourhood of Jumeirah now has a stunning waterfront promenade, Marsa Al Arab Walk, located right next to the Jumeirah group’s new luxury hotel of the same name. The picturesque destination is lined with restaurants like Public, SALT and Meat The Fish, that offer exceptional vistas of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and luxury yachts parked at the marina.
Located at Dubai Mall,Boo Boo Laand is a children’s entertainment venue that features more than 30 activities across four different zones, including a snow park, super slide, football stadium, and princess area.
Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience brings Ibiza vibes to the city. The 18,000-capacity open-air venue will welcome some of the biggest names in music, such as superstar DJ Calvin Harris, who headlined the opening night.
Old Dubai is one of the city’s most important historical landmarks, with Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood offering a glimpse into Dubai’s past. The city’s oldest building, Al Fahidi Fort, will reopen after renovations in 2025 along with the Dubai Museum.
Beach hot-spot Zuma Dubai Beachhouse will open in 2025. Adjacent to the Gran Meliá hotel and overlooking the Port De La Mer marina, Zuma’s first beachside location in Dubai will offer a contemporary pool, lounge, day beds and access to a private beachfront.
Foodie Dubai: Tried and Tested and new restaurants to try
Feast like a sheikh at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen at Caesar’s Palace Dubai. This three-Michelin-star is the only one outside Vegas serving up Ramsay’s signature dishes, including the beef Wellington and the sweet, heavenly sticky toffee pudding. Rhodes W1 at Grosvenor House in Dubai Marina has a European-inspired menu with afternoon tea during the weekends and evening meals. Dubai also has dozens of Michelin star restaurants, check out the Dubai Michelin Guide for more info.
Legendary restaurant CARBONE is set to open its new Dubai venue at Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah in 2025. Described as ‘the most celebrity-studded restaurant on earth’ by Vanity Fair, visitors in Dubai will be able to enjoy New York-style Italian cuisine served by tuxedo-clad service captains in a sprawling dining room that will transport guests to 1950s New York.
The new five-star Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab hotel will include a range of new dining experiences for visitors to enjoy. Options include Iliana (Greek), Rialto Restaurant & Bar (Venetian), The Bombay Club (Indian), Umi Kei (Japanese), Madame Li (Pan-Asian), Mirabelle (Mediterranean), Orizonta (Eastern Mediterranean), Kinugawa (Japanese-French), The Cullinan (gourmet steakhouse), KIRA (Mediterranean-Japanese), and the LITT Bar Club. Outside the hotel, the Marsa Al Arab Marina will have six dining destinations: Feels Café, Meat the Fish, Public, CutFish, Salt, and Heaf.
The team behind MICHELIN one-starred Orfali Bros will soon open a new restaurant in Dubai in 2024. Located at Wasl 51, the aptly named Three Bros will be a fresh bistro concept blending familiar flavours with global inspirations.
The Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai will have three restaurants upon opening: Chitarra, a cosy space serving Italian classics; Noia, inspired by the Greek islands with stunning rooftop views; and Yù & Mì, where the spirit of 1920s Shanghai meets modern sophistication.
Another new opening at The Opus is Revolver Dubai. Blending French technique with Indian flavours, chef Jitin Joshi and his team serve a range of flame-kissed dishes from an open charcoal grill, brazier and tandoor. On Saturdays, Revolver also hosts a new brunch, Fire & Ice.
Located within St. Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah, HANU offers a fresh perspective on contemporary Korean cuisine. Signature dishes include Korean beef tartare and raw red prawns, as well as inventive options like seafood ceviche and oversized kimbap hand rolls.
Gerbou, located in a beautifully renovated 1980’s building in Nad Al Sheba, opened in February and offers a contemporary Emirati dining experience. Meaning ‘welcome to our humble abode’ in Arabic, Gerbou showcases Emirati artistry and design and the space alongside nostalgic Emirati cuisine and culture.
Girl & the Goose – Restaurante Centroamericano opened its doors at Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel in March. Led by Nicaraguan chef Gabriela Chamorro, the concept started as a supper club and welcomed more than 5,000 guests into her home between 2019 and 2024. The menu is shaped by Chamorro’s heritage and global travels, blending traditional recipes from countries including Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama.
Led by award-winning chef Tristin Farmer, Maison Dali has opened its doors at The Opus by Dame Zaha Hadid in Business Bay. Offering a Mediterranean-Japanese brasserie experience, the restaurant blends dynamic dishes, intuitive service and a vibrant atmosphere, all set within a surreal, Dali-inspired interior.
South African-born F&B brand TANG has brought its Asian fine dining concept to Dubai. Located at the Palace Downtown,TANG Dubai offers Cantonese and Japanese cuisine and boasts views of Burj Khalifa.
J1 Beach in Jumeirah 1 has now fully opened with 13 premium beach clubs and restaurants. Luxury beachfront dining experiences include African Queen (French Riviera), Almayass by the Sea (Lebanese-Armenian), Bâoli (East Asian), Chouchou (French), Gigi Rigolatto (Italian), GITANO (Mexican), Kaimana Beach (Asian-Polynesian), La Baia by The Beach (Italian), LÚNICO (Spanish-Mediterranean), Ninive Beach (Middle Eastern and North African), Sakhalin (Mediterrasian), and Sirene Beach by GAIA (Greek-Mediterranean).
The first two restaurants have opened their doors at The Lana Promenade by Dorchester Collection on Marasi Drive in Business Bay. Dragonfly brings elevated Japanese cuisine, while Frou Frou is a chic Parisian brasserie serving classic French-inspired dishes. Another opening at The Lana Promenade in 2025 will be high-end Chinese restaurant brand China Tang, which has its original venue at London’s Dorchester Hotel.
Meaning ‘welcome to my humble abode’ in Arabic, Gerbou is a collaboration between Tashkeel and Atelier House Hospitality. This homegrown, sustainable, farm-to-table restaurant concept will offer a fusion of art and gastronomy and celebrate Arab and Emirati culture.
Brunch
The weekend starts a day early here, but it’s back to work on Sunday. So, Fridays for the local expat community mean one thing – Brunch. Despite being an Islamic country, many of the hotels in Dubai run all-day boozy brunches – with as much food and drink as you can consume. These range from high-class sushi and champagne affairs to all-day breakfasts, endless buffets and as many wines, beers and spirits or cocktails as you can down. Brunch is a chance to get together with friends and experience unrivalled hedonism – just be careful not to get arrested for being drunk and disorderly afterwards. Dubai is very strict about open displays of affection and excessive drinking.
Here’s some tried and tested ones.
Yalumba at Le Meridien hotel
Yalumba offers the ultimate five-star brunch. Expect oysters and caviar as well as sushi washed down by Champagne. The name of this venue is inspired by the South Australian wine region of Yalumba, which is reflected in the warm, earthy, and organic interior design of the restaurant, as well as the award-winning Yalumba Brunch. A lively Friday afternoon brunch offers impeccable food, sensational desserts, refreshing drinks, live music, entertainment, and an unbeatable party atmosphere.
The Burj Club at Burj Khalifa,
Set against a backdrop of the Dubai Fountain, as well as pool access, offers live cooking stations, a salad bar, and desserts from the rooftop pool area of the Burj Club. Enjoy an al fresco dining experience on the fifth floor of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
Belgian Beer Cafe
The Belgian Café Crowne Plaza (Festival City) or Souk Madinat Jumeriah is ideal for a Euro-style brunch with hops, music and varied food menu at the city’s original Belgian Café in the heart of Dubai. The vintage-style two-floor wooden decor features a large bar counter with a variety of your favourite hops on tap, as well as a generous outside terrace overlooking the city skyline. A Belgian experience would not be complete without the finest of pub grub, including a selection of premium mussel dishes and the best burgers in town. Meanwhile, the Belgian Beer Café ‘Souk Madinat Jumeirah’ is an authentic experience of a vintage bistro from the early 1920s. Coupled with two outdoor terraces overlooking the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis and the Madinat Jumeirah, the Belgian Beer Café offers a warm welcome, matched with the best views in Dubai.
Double Deckers
Head down to Suissotel Al Marouj to Double Decker’s pub, this legendary venue for a traditional English breakfast and Sunday Roast. A true staple of Dubai’s brunch scene, the Double Decker brunch has been a favourite for years. And that’s thanks to a timeless combination of good food, great drinks and even better value for money.
Irish Village
At Irish Village, in the Studio One Hotel in Al Gahoud, you can get a real pint of Guinness and a hearty Irish Breakfast. It is home to one of the few outdoor venues in the city that attracts big bands and every St Patrick’s Day hosts Ireland’s favourite son, Bob Geldof. The brunch is delicious and guaranteed to be raucous – plus it’s close to the airport.
Rock Bottom
Rock Bottom Dubai is a casual diner where rock music is on the menu and a Harley-Davidson culture prevails. This venue has been around since 1997 and caters to a lively party crowd that loves their music. Food is simple with Italian pizzas and Tex-Mex the order of the day, and the beers flow. This is the city’s first and only rock night club where you can catch live music while downing sambuccas and Bull Frogs containing a range of top-shelf spirits.
Top nights out in Dubai
Dance under the stars at Barasti– as the big beats break on the beach, surrounded by skyscrapers of Media City, Jumeirah and yachts in the Marina. This well-loved nightspot is at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.
Slurp on a Tiki Tiki Pukka at Trader Vics in Dubai at the Madinat Jumeriah as you enjoy Cuban music as the Arabic breeze blows on your face beside a babbling creek sipping Mai Thais.
Hire a yacht from the Dubai Yacht Club with your friends and enjoy a tour of this city like only the rich and famous as you sail down the creek in a chartered vessel, gliding past the Burj Al Arab and other unique landmarks and then hang out at Vida Dubai.
Feel high in the Sky Bar in the Burj Al Arab hotel – the only 7-star hotel in the world and the one in the shape of a sail, commands panoramic views of the city and has an amazing afternoon tea.
Armani Prive’ is in the lobby of the Armani Hotel inside the highest building in the world, Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Armani Hotel has one of the best-rated locations in Dubai and it commands magnificent birds-eye views of the city. Expect elegance and excellence, a completely new luxurious clubbing experience concept. Resident and international djs spin the desk while guests dance and relax in the lounge, terrace, and club of the Armani Dubails.
Girls can enjoy free drinks during Ladies Nights, where there’s free-flowing champagne, wine and cocktails poured all night long.
Events in Dubai
Sporting events
Once a year, the world’s largest purse is offered at the Dubai World Cup, the £12 million race, part of the Dubai World Cup Night held annually in March. Tiger Woods and co are present at the final event of the European Golf Tour Finale, which is always held in Dubai. An executive sporting crowd also enjoy the Emirates lounge at the annual Rugby Sevens, watching the All Blacks, England and other teams battle in seven-a-side rugby.
One of the most significant holidays in the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Adha marks the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) season. On this occasion, an atmosphere of giving and joy takes over the entire city, offering visitors the chance to experience local culture and traditions first-hand. Enjoy an authentic meal or attend special live performances throughout the long weekend.
Another major highlight of the city’s year-round events calendar is Dubai Summer Surprises. Taking place from June 27 to August 31, 2025, this family-friendly shopping and entertainment festival features retail sales, hotel and attraction offers, prize draws, and live shows. Kids can also get to meet Dubai’s mascots, Modesh and Dana, throughout the summer at Modesh World at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Every summer, DWTC is also home to an annual pop-up indoor sports arena, Dubai Sports World. Spanning more than 300,000 square feet in Za’abeel Halls 2-6, a variety of sports, academic coaching, and fun activities are on offer.
Circus 1903 brings its acclaimed show to the Coca-Cola Arenafrom 20-22 June. The theatrical show will fuse jaw-dropping stunts with old-school circus charm, all brought to life by the award-winning team behind The Illusionists and the incredible puppeteers of War Horse.
Culture in Dubai
Amid all the luxury, some say Dubai lacks soul, but I beg to differ. Dubai is a glittering metropolis, yet it has a beating heart and a heritage that stretches back millennia, with mystical Bedouin tribes who lived here long before those who reside in skyscrapers and frequent five- to seven-star hotels. Long before the fancy race cars and yachts arrived, Dubai was a pearl community. Discover its rich history by visiting the Dubai Museum, housed in the oldest building in Dubai, the Al Fahidi Fort, which was built around 1787. Down at the beach you can enjoy camel rides.
While you’re in the area, browse the souk for souvenirs and trinkets and then take an old dhow (boat) across the creek to soak up the exotic atmosphere while sipping on refreshing mint lemonade. Culture abounds in the bustling souk area, in downtown Dubai, where you can shop for the finest silks and have a designer suit made. Of course, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and gold glitter in the Aladdin’s cave that is the Dubai Gold Souk in Deira.
Dubai Mall
Those with a passion for fashion can shop for designer gear in one of the many malls. Dubai Mall features brands such as Prada, Victoria’s Secret, and many more, with every designer and luxury brand shop represented here in the world’s fifth-largest shopping mall. Escape the desert heat outside and check into Ski Dubai at Dubai Mall, where you can ski down air-conditioned artificial slopes as the hot sun beats down on the roof.
The look for less: Bag a designer purse in Karama or a replica suit in Bur Dubai
Head down to Karama, where you will be spoilt for choice with rows and rows of shops selling every designer handbag and purse under the sun. Street salesmen will entice you into their backrooms, which are Aladdin’s caves full of counterfeit goods. Be warned, it is generally considered Haram to purchase from these stores, and they are hidden. For around £50, you can purchase a convincing Gucci or Chloe handbag. Overall, shopping for bags is such a wonderful experience. Get a custom-made suit in downtown Bur Dubai, where expert tailors can create anything from Vivienne Westwood to Armani. Just take a picture and they will fashion you an exact replica.
Desert Dune Bashing and a mezze in the desert
Desert dune bashing
Experience Arabian nights with magical mezzes and belly-dancing deep in the dunes of the wilderness. Dubai Desert Safari will take you wadi bashing over the sands, camel riding, moped riding, and later serve up a lavish iftar of delicious Arabic food on the dunes by an open fire as belly dancers float around you in a sea of colour and cloud of perfume. They can experience the Bedouin culture and traditional Arabic life. Book onto a desert safari where you can have a go at sand surfing or dune bashing, ride a camel, and have a go on a quad bike. When the sun goes down you can dress up like a local, sample local cuisine and watch belly dancers dance around a campfire to traditional Arabic music.
Make a Splash
Alternatively, get wet and wild down at Jumeriah Beach where activities range from jet skiing, sea kayaking and water skiing. Alternatively, enjoy a camel ride along the beach or a spot of paragliding. Wild Wadi is also a great place to cool off with a range of water slides in a huge waterpark.
Global Village
Travel around the world in one theme park, exploring 90 countries across the world in one place. Find pavilions dedicated to Africa, America, China, Europe, Japan, Russia and more. It is a top day out for the whole family.
Getting around
Dubai is easy to navigate, with most places just a taxi ride away. The six-lane Sheikh Zayed Road connects old and new Dubai, while Emirates Road stretches through the desert to Jebel Ali. Jumeirah Beach Road offers views of the luxurious homes of the city’s elite. Dubai also features a high-tech, air-conditioned metro system and a bus system connecting most emirates, though the buses are not air-conditioned. You can take a bus to Al Ain and Abu Dhabi from the Dubai bus station.
Expat life in Dubai
With its tax-free perks, Dubai is a great place to live and work. The Arabian Ranches, The Palm, and Jumeriah Towers are the exclusive addresses in town. If high-rise apartments are not your bag, and you crave more space to relax, more palatial living quarters in the form of villa mansions can be found in the Emirati neighbourhoods of Mirdiff, which have cool marble floors and tens of rooms and outdoor swimming pools. Mirdiff has a family-friendly vibe to it, it’s where I lived for over a year, sharing a villa with South African and British expats, and I felt most at home here. As everywhere in Dubai is indoors due to the heat and dominated by air conditioning, Mirdiff has an outdoor shopping mall that is refreshing and family-friendly. It is far removed from city living, with dwellings down Sheikh Zayed Road.
From hotels and restaurants to attractions and events, there’s always something new to discover during a holiday in Dubai. Whether you’re a first-time or regular visitor, the city’s tourism offering is ever evolving. Dubai’s vibrant gastronomy scene has served up a range of new restaurants for foodies to try out, while the city’s hotel portfolio continues to expand with a host of new properties. Plan your travels and update your Dubai bucket during your trip.
Getting There: Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Royal Brunei all fly to Dubai
