United Arab Emirates
Dubai
Old creek souks to record-setting towers and beaches. Stay 3–4 nights. Below: 3 sights, 3 activities and 2 places to eat, plus how Dubai fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Nov – Mar
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- January
3 See · 3 Do · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop
Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta
from our route notes
39°C / 103°F avg high
23°C / 73°F avg high
about 17 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Dubai
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
3 sights worth building a day around across Downtown Dubai, Bur Dubai and Trade Centre.
- See
Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building, with observation decks on levels 124, 125 and 148.
Tip Book a sunset slot online in advance.
Photo: Nirmal Gupta · GoogleSeeAl Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Restored wind-tower houses, galleries and lanes from old Dubai beside the Creek.
Tip Combine with an abra ride from Bur Dubai to Deira.
Photo: DH Kwon · GoogleSeeMuseum of the Future
Torus-shaped building with immersive floors imagining life in 2071.
Tip Timed tickets sell out; book online.
Do
3 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across Downtown Dubai and Bur Dubai. 2 of them are free.
Photo: GinaD · CC BY-SA 4.0DoDubai Fountain
Choreographed fountain shows on Burj Lake every 30 minutes in the evening.
Tip Free from the Dubai Mall waterfront promenade.
Photo: ابراهيم بهزاد · GoogleDoAbra ride across Dubai Creek
Wooden water taxis crossing the Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira for 1 dirham.
Photo: Christof Verboven · GoogleDoDesert safari in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Dune drives, camel rides and dinner in a protected desert reserve.
Tip Choose a conservation-licensed operator such as Platinum Heritage.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Dubai across Bur Dubai and Satwa.
Photo: Al Ustad Special Kebab · GoogleEatAl Ustad Special Kebab
Persian kebab house in Bur Dubai since 1978, walls lined with photos of diners.
Photo: Ravi Restaurant Satwa · Google
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Dubai in Al Fahidi.
Photo: Matija · GoogleDrinkArabian Tea House
Shady courtyard café in Al Fahidi serving Emirati breakfast, karak and mint tea.
Shop
Markets and shops worth the detour in Deira.
Photo: Shahma Abu · GoogleShopDeira Gold and Spice Souks
Covered lanes of gold jewelers, saffron, frankincense and dried fruit in old Deira.
Tip Gold is priced by weight; bargain on workmanship.
How to fit Dubai into a trip
Dubai is stop 1 of 3 on our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route. Follow it as-is or lift Dubai into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta
Skyline, souks, grand mosques and mountain dams
- Trip length
- 7 days
- Best season
- Nov – Mar
- Pace
- easy
- Next: Abu Dhabi
Getting here and onward
- Dubai to Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi is about 123 km / 76 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Dubai month by month
Average daily highs run from 23°C / 73°F in January to 39°C / 103°F in August. January is the wettest month, with about 17 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan23° / 73°F average high, in our recommended season
- Feb24° / 75°F average high, in our recommended season
- Mar27° / 81°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr31° / 87°F average high
- May35° / 95°F average high
- Jun37° / 99°F average high
- Jul39° / 102°F average high
- Aug39° / 103°F average high
- Sep37° / 99°F average high
- Oct34° / 94°F average high
- Nov30° / 85°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec25° / 77°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Dubai weather and the best time to visit →
Near Dubai
2 other destinations from our guides within about 150 km (93 mi), measured in a straight line.
Dubai questions, answered
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Our route notes suggest 3–4 nights in Dubai. On our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Dubai best known for?
Old creek souks to record-setting towers and beaches. Stay 3–4 nights. Standouts on our list: Burj Khalifa (The world's tallest building, with observation decks on levels 124, 125 and 148); Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Restored wind-tower houses, galleries and lanes from old Dubai beside the Creek); Museum of the Future (Torus-shaped building with immersive floors imagining life in 2071).
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
Our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route is best Nov – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (39°C / 103°F), the coolest in January (23°C / 73°F) and the most rain in January (about 17 mm).
What are the best things to do in Dubai?
Start with Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Abra ride across Dubai Creek and Museum of the Future. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 3 sights, 3 activities, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.
Where should a group eat in Dubai?
Our picks: Al Ustad Special Kebab (Bur Dubai); Ravi Restaurant (Satwa).
What is near Dubai?
The closest destinations in our guides are Hatta (about 96 km / 60 mi) and Abu Dhabi (about 123 km / 76 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Dubai with your crew
Open the Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.