Dubai travel guide 2026
Holidays in Dubai: the complete travel guide 2026
Plan a holiday in Dubai: best time to go, beaches, things to do, luxury hotels, family trips, desert safaris, visas and budgets — plus how travellers become Dubai property owners.
Explore by topic
Everything about a holiday in Dubai: 13 chapters of the guide
01When to go to Dubai
Best time to visit Dubai month by month: weather, sea temperature, prices, crowds, Ramadan dates and the cheapest month…2 guides
02Things to do in Dubai
The best things to do in Dubai: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Frame, Museum of the Future, the old town, Creek abra r…Read
03Dubai beaches and sea holidays
The best beaches in Dubai: JBR, Kite Beach, La Mer, Palm Jumeirah, night swimming beaches, beach clubs, sea temperature…1 guide
04Dubai areas and neighbourhoods
Dubai area guides for visitors: Downtown, Dubai Marina, JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, Jumeirah, Old Dubai, Creek Ha…Read
05Where to stay in Dubai
Where to stay in Dubai: best areas and hotels by budget, beach resorts vs city hotels, holiday apartments and tips on t…Read
06Luxury travel in Dubai
Luxury holidays in Dubai: seven-star hotels, private villas, yachts, helicopter tours, fine dining, VIP experiences and…1 guide
07Dubai with kids
Dubai with kids: family-friendly hotels, theme parks, water parks, beaches, aquariums and tips for a safe and easy fami…Read
08Food and nightlife in Dubai
Food and nightlife in Dubai: best restaurants, Michelin-starred dining, brunches, street food, rooftop bars, beach club…Read
09Shopping in Dubai
Shopping in Dubai: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, the gold and spice souks, outlet malls, Dubai Shopping Festival sa…Read
10Desert and adventure in Dubai
Desert safari in Dubai and adventure activities: dune bashing, quad bikes, hot-air balloons, skydiving, Hatta, camping…Read
11Events and festivals in Dubai
Events in Dubai 2026: Dubai Shopping Festival, New Year fireworks, Global Village, Dubai Air Show, concerts, sports eve…Read
12Dubai travel tips
Dubai travel tips: visa rules, currency and money, metro and taxis, dress code, local laws, safety, SIM cards, budget a…Read
13From holiday to home
From holiday to home: buying a holiday home in Dubai, rental income, Golden Visa through property, relocation, costs an…1 guideClimate by month
Weather in Dubai: twelve months at a glance
- Best season
- Hot season, best hotel prices
- Air, max °C
- Sea °C
- 24°22°Jan
- 25°22°Feb
- 28°23°Mar
- 33°25°Apr
- 38°28°May
- 40°30°Jun
- 41°32°Jul
- 41°33°Aug
- 39°32°Sep
- 35°30°Oct
- 30°27°Nov
- 26°24°Dec
Fresh guides
New in the travel guide: fresh from our Dubai team
From holiday to homeFrom holiday to home: how to buy a holiday home in Dubai
How tourists buy a holiday home in Dubai: freehold areas, prices, payment plans, costs, holiday-home rental income, Golden Visa and the best areas for owners who visit every year.4 min read
Dubai beaches and sea holidaysThe best beaches in Dubai: free public beaches, beach clubs and night swimming
Guide to the best beaches in Dubai: JBR, Kite Beach, La Mer, Sunset Beach, Al Mamzar, Palm Jumeirah and night swimming beaches —…3 min read
When to go to DubaiSummer holidays in Dubai: how to enjoy the heat, the deals and the sea
Is Dubai worth visiting in summer? Weather, sea temperature, hotel discounts, indoor attractions, beach hours and a sample summer…4 min read
Luxury travel in DubaiLuxury holidays in Dubai: the complete guide to elite travel
Plan an elite Dubai holiday: the most exclusive hotels and private villas, yachts, helicopter flights, fine dining, VIP shopping…3 min read
When to go to DubaiBest time to visit Dubai: month-by-month weather, prices and events
When is the best time to visit Dubai? Month-by-month guide to air and sea temperature, hotel prices, crowds, Ramadan and the top…5 min readDubai real estate
Stay in Dubai for good: best properties now
Hand-picked apartments and villas from our catalogue — sea views, branded residences and family communities with prices in USD.
Bayfront Marina Residences by Sobha Realtyfrom $367,150
Beach Hills Villas by Al Zorah Development Companyfrom $5,554,920
Canalside Marina Residences by Sobha Realtyfrom $368,941
Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living by Ohana by Ohana Developmentfrom $846,415
Beach Walk Residence by IMTIAZfrom $646,992ALMAL The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residencesfrom $787,102
Mayyas at the Bay by Advanced Propertiesfrom $394,835
Raffles Villas The Palm Dubai by EPG from $18,407,480Why Dubai is the world's favourite city break
Dubai welcomed a record 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, and it is easy to see why. In one trip you can swim in a warm sea in January, watch the sunset from the 148th floor of Burj Khalifa, ride the dunes in a 4x4, eat in Michelin-starred restaurants and shop in some of the largest malls on the planet. More than 150,000 hotel rooms cover every budget, from simple city hotels to private-island resorts.
This guide is written by the Empire City team, who live and work in Dubai. It covers the best time to visit, beaches, neighbourhoods, hotels, luxury and family holidays, food, shopping, the desert, events and practical tips on visas, money and transport. Because many of our clients first came to Dubai as tourists and later bought a holiday home here, each guide also shows real apartments and villas from our catalogue in the areas you will be visiting.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a holiday in Dubai?
From late October to April: days are 24–30 °C, the sea is warm and outdoor attractions are open. Summer (June–September) is very hot, but hotels are much cheaper and indoor attractions keep the city busy.
Do I need a visa to visit Dubai?
Citizens of many countries receive a free visa or entry permit on arrival; others can apply online in advance, often through their airline or hotel. Always check the current rules for your passport before booking.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Five to seven days lets you see the main sights, spend two or three days on the beach and add a desert safari or a day trip to Abu Dhabi without rushing.
Can tourists buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreigners can buy freehold apartments and villas in designated areas, often with a 20–30% down payment on off-plan projects, and property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa.
Holiday home → investment
Love Dubai? Own a piece of it
Many of our clients first came to Dubai on holiday. Today they own apartments that earn rental income while they are away and host them when they return.
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