Dubai holidays
A modern desert city built around Downtown's towers, beaches and winter sun, with an older trading quarter still at its centre.
41°C AugustBest Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec3–6 nights
At a glance
- winter sun
- family and resort trips
- long-haul stopovers
Trip cost
- Return flight
- ≈€238
- Stay
- ≈€791
- Food & local
- ≈€109
Includes the return fare from London Stansted. An estimate, not a quote — each booking happens separately with its supplier. How we work this out.
Stays
Stays in Dubai
From €81/night · Typical €163 · 166 stays · for your 7 nights
Booking.com (opens in a new tab)- Best 3-star
Rove At The Park41.7 km from the centre€96 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 3-star options
- Best 4-star
Luxury 2 Bedroom in the Nook 1 next to Metro Energy26.1 km from the centre€223 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 4-star options
- Best 5-star
Lapita, Dubai Parks And Resorts, Autograph Collection41.9 km from the centre€172 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 5-star options
- Cheapest
Fully Furnished One Bedroom Apartment-Equiti Gate34.6 km from the centre€81 a night (opens in a new tab)See more options, cheapest first
Map
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Getting to Dubai
- AirportDubai International Airport (DXB)
- Transfer optionsMetro, taxi
The Dubai Metro Red Line connects Terminals 1 and 3 directly to the city; taxis are available at every terminal.
These fares are not for your selected dates.
Indicative, per traveller. You book with Aviasales.
Areas of Dubai
A few places people base themselves, and who each tends to suit.
- Downtown DubaiBest for first-time visitors who want the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain shows within walking distance.
- Dubai MarinaSuited to travellers wanting a waterfront, resort-style base with a long promenade and beach access nearby.
- JumeirahGood for visitors prioritising beach time and a quieter, more residential upscale feel.
- Al Fahidi / Bur DubaiWorks for travellers wanting the older trading city, with the creek, souks and heritage architecture rather than the modern skyline.
When to go
Monthly climate normals (ERA5 reanalysis, 2022–2024). Gold months are the best weather fit.
- Best overall
- February · March · November · December
- Hottest
- August · 41°C
- Wettest
- April · 40mm
- Jan24°27mm
- Feb25°27mm (good month)
- Mar28°16mm (good month)
- Apr31°40mm
- May36°5mm
- Jun39°0mm
- Jul40°9mm
- Aug41°0mm
- Sep39°0mm
- Oct35°3mm
- Nov31°8mm (good month)
- Dec27°13mm (good month)
What each season is like
- Spring
- Warming quickly, still pleasant early on but building toward summer heat by late in the season.
- Summer
- Extreme heat and humidity make this a season to avoid outdoor plans entirely; malls, aquariums and hotel pools carry the visit instead.
- Autumn
- Cooling gradually from the summer peak, still hot well into the season before conditions ease.
- Winter
- The most comfortable season by far and the reason most visitors come, with warm days, little rain and outdoor life back in full use.
Good to know about Dubai
Worth it for
Downtown Dubai's towers, fountain shows and malls sit alongside an older trading quarter across the creek.
Keep in mind
Summer heat is extreme and prolonged, making outdoor sightseeing impractical for much of the day from around June to September.
Why go
- Downtown Dubai's towers, fountain shows and malls sit alongside an older trading quarter across the creek.
- Warm, dry winters make Dubai a reliable escape from Northern Hemisphere cold.
- Beaches, desert excursions and indoor attractions give a trip options regardless of the midday heat.
Worth knowing
- Summer heat is extreme and prolonged, making outdoor sightseeing impractical for much of the day from around June to September.
- The city is built around cars and taxis outside the metro corridor, so distances between districts are longer and less walkable than in a compact European city.
- Alcohol, dress and public conduct rules are stricter than in Europe, which changes how some travellers plan evenings out.