Are you thinking about visiting Dubai, UAE? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Dubai worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this city for three to seven days because of the many great activities. Dubai is a cosmopolitan and modern city in the UAE with luxury resorts and high-reaching skyscrapers. It's an ultramodern city with a vibrant nightlife scene and many manmade wonders. It's a desert city with luxury shopping malls and unique adventures that tourists can experience. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in U.S. News Worlds Best Places to Go in 2023.
Dubai
Reasons to Visit Dubai
Nightlife
Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.
Music
The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.
Resorts
Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.
Shopping
With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.
Museums
The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.
Food
The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.
Beaches
There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.
Is Dubai worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the low season for travel in Dubai. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices. Dubai is the summer is incredibly hot, so it's better to visit at other times.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 35°C (95°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Dubai looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to lounge on the beach, browse through museums, and relax at a luxurious resort. Also, you can experience the big city activities, the nightlife, and the beautiful scenery.
Summer Weather in Dubai
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| August | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| September | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Is Dubai worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Dubai. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 29°C (84°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Dubai looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the famous sights and museums, and the big city activities. Also, you can listen to some live music, swim at the beach, and relax at a resort.
Autumn Weather in Dubai
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| November | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| December | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Is Dubai worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 19°C (66°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The peak season for travel is winter in Dubai, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open. Winter is a pleasant time to visit Dubai with mild temperatures.
Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Dubai looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and enjoy the evening activities. Also, you can check out the live music scene, the big city activities, the beaches, and the beautiful resorts.
Winter Weather in Dubai
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| February | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| March | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Is Dubai worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Dubai. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 26°C (79°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Dubai looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to listen to some live music, take advantage of the local nightlife, lounge on the beach, and relax at a luxurious resort.
Spring Weather in Dubai
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| June | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Dubai
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Dubai might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Dubai here or see if Dubai is expensive here.
Related
What is Dubai most famous for?
Dubai is most famous for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. People visit this impressive city for its great nightlife, music, resorts, and shopping. Also, it's known for museums and food. Many people love the scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches, too. It is often described as modern, glamorous, and opulent.
What is the most famous sight in Dubai?
The most popular sight in Dubai is Burj Khalifa. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Dubai on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Burj Khalifa and other attractions here.
How touristy is Dubai? Is it a popular city to visit?
Dubai is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- 1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab and Royal Atlantis: $165
- Small-Group Tour: Falcon 2—Dubai Falconry Safari: $199
- Photography Tour in Al Fahidi District w/Abra Ride: $45
- The Best Jet Ski in Dubai - 90 Minutes Palm Jumeirah Tour: $229
- Quad Bike Ride-Sand Boarding -Camel Trekking- Private Experience: $195
- Sunrise Safari with Wildlife Experience: $44
- Morning Desert Safari Tour with Dune Bashing, Sand Boarding, Camel Ride: $89
- Evening Dubai Red Dune Desert Tour: $44
How long should I spend in Dubai?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Dubai is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Dubai has a variety of activities such as shopping, nightlife, music, and resorts, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dubai?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Dubai?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Dubai?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.