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Dubai Holidays 2024/2025
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Dubai Holidays Guide 2024/2025
Dubai has become a fantastic holiday destination for shopping, sunshine, culture and much more. It has also become one of the most competitive destinations for travel companies like Travel Republic, loveholidays, TUI and British Airways Holidays, which means some great flight and hotel prices for Brits wanting to get away on a short break or holiday.
Whether you are on a budget and simply need a place to rest your head on a city break, or you want to go all out and enjoy 5-star luxury all-inclusive accommodation, Dubai holidays can be as affordable as necessary.
Try flying indirect to Dubai for the lowest air fares and stay further away from the beaches for better hotel rates.
Iconic Things To Do In Dubai
Burj Khalifa
One of Dubai's most iconic attractions, and the world's tallest building, the towering Burj Khalifa, home to a hotel and viewing platform, is a must visit for first timers. Be sure to book a time slot in advance, especially in the evening.
Desert Safari
Not one for the faint-hearted but definitely one for the adventurer, a thrilling desert safari takes you out of the city by 4x4 jeep, and into the desert for dune bashing and to experience authentic Arab traditions in a bedouin camp.
Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark
A wonderful to spend the day with friends and family, whether you love the thrill of the waterslides, want to see the sealife or simply relax on the soft sandy beach. This water park on The Palm Jumeirah is ideal for everyone.
Dubai Creek
For a taste of the local culture, head to Dubai Creek to experience the long riverside pathways and unique Arab culture. Discover the gold and clothes at the souks and markets or try a ride on a traditional Abra across the creek.
Getting To, From And Around Dubai
There are now more than 25 airlines that offer flights to Dubai from the UK and with so many airlines vying for your attention, flight prices have dropped dramatically in recent years. Fly direct with airlines like Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways or indirect with airlines like Air France or Qatar Airways. You can fly from Glasgow, Stansted, Manchester and other regionalairports too.
Getting Around
Dubai has a simple but very efficient monorail system which runs through the city from north to south. It's a great, budget friendly option for getting about the city, however, taxis are also very cheap for when you want to head away from the main monorail line. Driving in Dubai can be a little crazy at times (there can be a lot of traffic at rush hour, and hiring a car is possible from the airport, or often from your hotel.
Walking within an area is fine, although always keep water with you as it can get very hot and you need to stay hydrated. It's quite difficult to walk between parts of the city though, like between Downtown and JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residences)
Things To Do In Dubai
Dubai has grown incredibly over the past few years and with such huge growth, comes plenty of activities, theme parks and attractions to keep yourself busy. Many simply visit Dubai to enjoy the almost guaranteed sunshine, so having a hotel with a pool isn't such a bad idea. Some of the more budget hotels, such as Holiday Inn Express don't usually offer swimming pool facilities so bear this in mind when booking, however, right along the coastline, Dubai's beaches are a great opportunity to sunbathe when you don't have a pool available at your disposal.
The waterparks are certainly not to be missed. Wild Wadi Waterpark is joined to the 5-star Jumeirah hotels so has free entry to guests, whilst Aquaventure is part of the 5-star Atlantis hotel, so also offers free entry to its guests. Not to worry if you are travelling on a budget though. Entry fees can vary with discounts for children and families. They have something for everyone, from exciting rides to lazy rivers, making family holidays in Dubai a very feasible option.
A great excursion for Dubai visitors is a half day desert safari. It's a fun adventure out into the desert to experience the sand dunes, san boarding, camel riding, as well as Emirati traditions, such as henna tattoos, traditional Arabic music and traditional dress. Prices are around £44 per person.
Dhow boat trips are also a fun activity to save you from another day at the beach. Dhow boats are the traditional boats used by Emiratis for fishing and transportation and give a little insight into the unique middle eastern culture.
Shopping in Dubai has become infamous, whether it's for the likes of American clothing chains or gold and jewelry. It has also become well known for its knock-off brand shopping area, Karama in a northern area of the city, just south of the Dubai Deira Creek. For the big malls, take a look at Mall Of The Emirates or Dubai Mall for the biggest fashion brands.
The beaches are another reason to visit this part of the United Arab Emirates. Soft white sand line the coast, with popular areas including JBR Beach (the largest in the city), Sunset Beach with its iconic views of the Burj al Arab and Kite Beach, which is great for watersports. Some hotels even have their own private beach.
Where To Stay In Dubai
There are plenty of hotel options for a holiday to Dubai and where you stay will depend on what you want to enjoy most while in Dubai but booking flight + hotel together as a package can save you money.
Palm Jumeirah / Jumeirah Beach
For beach and sunshine resort style holidays, try areas like Jumeirah Beach or the Palm Jumeirah, with beach hotel after beach hotel offering expansive views across the Arabian Gulf. Hotels like Rixos The Palm and Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort are great options. Dubai Marina and JBR can also be good areas for easy access to the city.
Downtown Dubai
If it's shopping, culture and sunshine, then staying further in the city is a great option. Areas like Downtown Dubai are perfect for this and are still only a short trip by taxi to the beaches.
Al Barsha & Inland
Budget hotels are normally further inland or scattered along the Sheikh Zayed Highway. These can be a great base for getting out and about, especially if it's only a short walk to the nearest metro station. Look at areas like Al Barsha which has Mall of the Emirates and Ski Dubai along with private villas.
Jebel Ali
Further south, and much closer to Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport, is Jebel Ali. It was originally built to become an industrial area, however, as the city has grown, holiday resorts and hotels have expanded here too. They have even built The Palm Jebel Ali, a larger version of the one in Jumeirah. Just south of Jebel Ali is where you'll also find Dubai Parks & Resorts of Legoland® Dubai, Motiongate Dubai and Real Madrid World.
Our Favourite Hotel
One of our favourite hotels in Dubai has to be The Atlantis The Palm, a five-star resort style hotel which offers guests an absolute treat on holiday. From the opulent interior with it's own aquarium to the fantastic beach and Aquaventure waterpark access, The Atlantis will surprise and delight each and every day of your holiday.
Destinations Near Dubai
If all you're interested in is the sunshine and access to the beach or pool, then take a look at some of the resorts in Ras al Khaimah, an area north of the city which often boasts cheaper rates.
Emirates Holidays To Dubai
As part of the Emirates brand, the company also offers a range of holidays to Dubai using it's flights and hotel partners, for either Dubai as the destination, or Dubai as a stopover city. Sometimes, booking with Emirates Holidays can mean big discounts and special offers on your holiday, especially when booked as a package to include flights, hotel stay, transfers and even waterpark access or other excursions. What's better, Emirates Holidays are both ABTA and ATOL protected.
There aren't too many all-inclusive holiday options to Dubai, however, one or two hotels do offer this. But then you would miss out on the huge number of fantastic restaurants on offer, serving dishes from the Middle East and around the world.
Multi-Centre Holidays
Dubai started its tourism boom as a stopover destination, and while it has become an exciting and vibrant destination in its own right, it still is a great place to enjoy a stopover for a few days in combination with another destination.
Emirates flies to so many destinations it's hard to keep up, and with places like the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bali, Australia and many more, it's so easy to enjoy a multi-centre holiday in Dubai.
In fact, if flight availability is tight, your flight price could even be cheaper by staying in Dubai for a few days, especially if you're flexible with dates. All you need to do is add on your hotel and spending money.
Check Out These Popular Budget Hotels In Dubai
Dubai With Kids
If you have young children or toddlers, Dubai can be a great holiday destination with so much to do, both indoors and out. From the zoos and aquariums to Dubai Parks and Resorts including Legoland® and Motiongate™. It's worth bearing in mind the sunshine, while lovely, can be quite hot, especially in the summer months of July and August so make sure your kids are protected with appropriate suncream.
Staying Safe In Dubai
It's important whenever you go to a foreign country to respect and follow its security and local laws. Always check the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Destination Hotels
Like much of the United Arab Emirates, there are some truly incredible hotels in Dubai, ranging from compact, budget friendly stays to expansive, luxury, five star resorts like the Atlantis Hotel (pictured). Staying in popular areas like Downtown and the Palm Dubai can often come at a higher price, so if you're on a budget, try staying in quieter,less touristy areas.
When To Go
Although it's know for its year round sunshine, Dubai can be notoriously hot in the summer but much milder in the winter months, making it an ideal winter sun holidaydestination and often the best time to visit. Many people will choose to spend a week in the city between November and February to help escape the British cold. October and March or April can be lovely times to travel. Between June and August/September, the temperatures will regularly exceed 40 degrees so opt for indoor activities during these months. Dubai holiday packages are usually cheaper at this time of year because of the heat.
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