With a population of over 3 million people including over 200 nationalities, it is an absolute wonder that Dubai started out as nothing more than a small fishing settlement back in 1833.

Now a modern metropolis with rich and varying cultural experiences, architectural wonders, and unmatched natural beauty, it is no wonder at all that Dubai is one of the number one destinations in the world.

With everything from mouth-watering local cuisine, pristine beaches, a beautiful desert, spectacular cityscapes, neverending markets, and even the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa, Dubai makes for an unforgettable experience perfect for singles, couples, families, or friends!

There’s no doubt that one of the best ways to ensure you get to glimpse as many of the incredible landmarks as possible is to catch one of the astounding water cruises that Dubai has to offer! Many of these tours offer a variety of local cuisines, helpful tour guides, 5-star amenities, and of course, an unparalleled view of Dubai’s amazing sights.

Most of the tours offered hit Dubai’s hottest spots from the world’s largest ferris wheel (Ain Dubai also known as Dubai Eye), the famous Burj Al Arab hotel, Jumeirah Beach, Atlantis, Bluewater island, and more!

Some tours include various refreshments ranging from bottled water to full buffets. Swimming, live entertainment, and private cabins can also be found on some of these Dubai yacht tours!

Best Dubai Dinner Boat and Yacht Cruises

	Dubai: Mega Yacht Cruise with Buffet Dinner	Marina Private Luxury Yacht Tour	Superyacht Experience with Live Music & Drinks
Departure:	Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai Marina	Marina Walk, Dubai Marina	34VM+FM Dubai
Start:	7:00 PM	Between 12:00 AM & 11:55 PM	5:00 PM
Duration:	2 hours	2, 3, or 5 hours	3 hours
Includes:	Includes breakfast, lunch, or dinner	Private luxury boat tour	Includes Breakfast/lunch/dinner and drinks, live DJ
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

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Quick Answer: The 5 Best Dubai Dinner Boat and Yacht Cruises For 2025

1. Dubai: Mega Yacht Cruise with Buffet Dinner
2. Marina Private Luxury Yacht Tour
3. Superyacht Experience with Live Music & Drinks
4. Dubai Marina: Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ
5. 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner

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Dubai Dinner Boat Cruise Reviews

1. Dubai: Mega Yacht Cruise with Buffet Dinner

OceanAir Travels presents this incredible marina yacht cruise highlighting world-famous destinations around Palm Jumeirah! For this 2-hour cruise, you will choose between multiple meeting times for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

You will join your group at the Dubai Harbour Yacht Club and be welcomed aboard the vessel with fresh juice, sliced fruit, and a stunning variety of other refreshments.

If you choose the earlier breakfast cruise, you will be able to enjoy everything from fruit, cheese, butter, and jam to pastries, Turkish labneh, and ham rolls! Alternatively, you can choose either the lunch or dinner cruise option and be met with delicious BBQ options.

The lunch and dinner choices feature a buffet including things like hummus, Fattoush salad, Umm Ali, Arabic bread, and veggie rice as well as BBQ veggies, shrimp, chicken, and kebabs.

Not only will you enjoy the mouth-watering refreshments, but OceanAir Travels takes the comfort of their guests very seriously. Nothing but the best 5-star amenities are provided allowing you to truly relax and have the best possible experience.

It is the driving belief at OceanAir that the key to understanding and tolerance is exploring and experiencing all of the rich and diverse cultures of the world.

Their goals include helping to connect people through enriching experiences, which is exactly what you will get as you cruise past sights like the Dubai Eye, Jumeirah Beach, the Burj Al Arab hotel, and so much more!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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2. Marina Private Luxury Yacht Tour

After something a little more exotic for your Dubai trip? Royal Blue Coast Yachts is offering you just that with their private luxury tours! That’s right – this is a private tour! On this tour, the only guests will be you and your own private group.

That means 100% of the live tour guide’s and crew’s attention is on your group allowing you to have a more personalized and intimate experience as you travel Duabai’s waters.

Several different tour options are offered including a 2-hour cruise, 3-hour cruise, and even 5-hour cruise featuring fireworks! It’s definitely an incredible opportunity for an unforgettable experience.

On-board music creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere as you take in the famous Dubai sites as seen from the water. Sights like the Kempinski Hotel and Residences, the Lagoon, and the architecturally stunning Atlantis are just a few of the famous landmarks featured on this luxury tour.

Depending on your specific tour choice, Royal Blue Coast Yachts offers a few different vessels. One of the more impressive options is a stunning 60-foot yacht that accommodates up to 25 people quite comfortably with 5-star comforts.

While this tour doesn’t offer refreshments, you will be excited to hear that it does stop in the lagoon to offer guests the opportunity for a refreshing swim off the yacht!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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3. Superyacht Experience with Live Music & Drinks

SUPERyacht is right! This remarkable vessel has all the bells and whistles you could dream of. It is a 144-foot luxury superyacht featuring an impressive 3 decks, 6 lovely cabins, and a fabulous dining area where you can enjoy the lavish included breakfast, lunch, or dinner depending on the time slot you choose for your tour.

Xclusive Yachts has created a real VIP experience with this tour even including live music with a professional DJ on the top deck of the boat – also known as the sky lounge. You can dance your way past the unbelievable sights of Dubai including Bluewater Island, Jumeirah Beach, the Ain wheel, JBR, and more!

The superyacht even offers free Wi-Fi to all guests to help you stay connected while out on the water. The adventures and amenities don’t stop there, though! This is another tour offering some relaxing swim time during the 3-hour tour and even has towels and slippers as well as life jackets for guests to use at their convenience.

How does a friendly game of Mario Kart sound? Yep! This superyacht has a game console on board for a little competitive fun with friends – old or new!

One more thing that sets this tour apart from other Dubai yacht tour options is its wide variety of beverages – including alcohol! Make sure you bring your ID because while the water, tea, juice, and coffee options are excellent, you will also have the choice of a variety of beers and premium drinks.

Whether you are interested in the calm and serene environment of the bottom deck or you’re ready to party with the DJ in the sky lounge, this tour has something for everyone.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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4. Dubai Marina: Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

The award-winning company Xclusive Yachts is back with another exciting tour choice. This tour features a 64-foot vessel and two stunning decks. The upper deck is spacious and airy with options in the sun or shade while the lower deck is air-conditioned with plenty of windows and comfy seating.

The tour options for this vessel are either 2 or 3 hours long departing from and returning to the Dubai Marina. You can choose from 6 different times to leave for a breakfast tour, lunch tour, afternoon tour, sunset tour, moonlit tour, or twilight tour!

Each tour features an included meal. Breakfast options feature croissants, donuts, muffins, breakfast meats, cheeses, fruits, and more. If you go with a lunch or dinner tour, you will have options including chicken burgers, beef burgers, veggie burgers, chicken and veggie skewers, lamb kofta, and greek salad plus a variety of other options.

The live tour guide will give you tons of fascinating info on all the awesome destinations you will cruise by. You’ll cruise by all the best landmarks in Dubai starting in the Marina and checking out Jumeirah Beach, the Dubai Eye, Bluewaters Island, and some of the most architecturally impressive and unique hotels you have ever seen.

This tour’s yacht also has free Wi-Fi, a gorgeous dinette area, and 3 roomy cabins with natural light flowing freely in.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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5. 2-Hour Evening Show Cruise and Dinner

Possibly the most unique water tour in Dubai comes from Orient Tours LLC. This company was established back in 1982 making it the oldest Destination Management Company in the region. Quality, service, and innovation are at the heart of what sets Orient Tours apart from other companies.

Unlike previous options, this tour is offered aboard a traditional Arabian dhow! If you didn’t know, a dhow is an ancient type of ship with a unique design. While the exact origin story of the dhow has been long lost to history, it is believed they originated as far back as 600 BC.

While the Arabs originally used dhows primarily for fishing and trading, they certainly make an enriching and beautiful tour vessel now! Easily the most romantic choice, this tour is strictly offered in the evening as a dinner cruise.

Arabic and international dishes are offered in a spectacular feast including appetizers, salads, meats, fish, and even some scrumptious desserts. You will enjoy all this while gliding past the beautifully illuminated Dubai evening skyline.

To further set this tour apart, Orient Tours offers hotel pick-up as well as drop-off before and after the tour. As long as your hotel is within Dubai city limits, the tour includes a friendly driver to bring you to the meeting point as well as return you to your hotel as your magical evening comes to a close.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

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Dubai Travel Guide

Dubai is a modern city of unparalleled expansion. Over a period of 50 years, the population has grown from 60,000 people to 3,188,000.

Obviously, with that growth over 98% of the city’s buildings and infrastructure is brand new. Here’s where you’ll find the tallest building, the tallest hotel, and the busiest international passenger airport in the world.

But the history of Old Dubai goes back over 3,000 years and the desert wilderness is only a short drive away. Today, there’s lots for everyone to see and do in this fascinating global supercity.

Airports & Entry

Although the Emirate of Dubai is a small kingdom within a country of fewer than 10 million people, Dubai International Airport is a major transportation hub and the world’s third busiest airport.

That means the airport is huge and offers some great facilities. There are 3 terminals and 4 concourses. However, while Terminal 3 is modern and the largest airport terminal building in the world, Terminals 1 and 2 are dated and not so plush.

Inside the airport, you’ll find a broad range of stores and eating outlets—like Costa Coffee, Baskin Robbins, and McDonald’s—many open 24 hours. There’s free Wi-Fi on the “DXB Free WiFi” and “DWC Free WiFi” networks and abundant mobile charging stations. If you require internet access but don’t have a mobile device, there are internet kiosks beside Connect and Global Link (Gate C16).

There are Information Desks near the Duty-Free stores Airside, and assistants wandering around the airport wearing blue polo shirts with a “May I Help You?” logo. You can find 24-hour currency exchange counters in all 3 terminals as well as ATMs.

If you’re traveling with kids, there’s a Children’s Play Area in Terminal 3 Airside. You’ll also find Baby Care Facilities throughout the airport. To gain access, visit one of the Information Desks or ask a “May I Help You?” assistant for help.

For passengers stranded at the airport for a long time, there’s a Health Club with a gym, showers, swimming pool, steam room, and jacuzzi Airside behind the Dubai International Hotel. This is accessed from Terminal 1, Gate 115, or Terminal 3, Concourse 2. For the less health-conscious, there are smoking rooms in Terminal 1 Airside, Gate D12, Terminal 2 Airside, and multiple locations in Terminal 3.

In case of medical emergencies, Medical Care Centers are found in Terminal 1, Gate C13, and Terminal 3, Level 0. There are pharmacies in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 Departures. Muslim prayer rooms are available in the car park and throughout the airport.

The airport is only 3 miles from the center of Dubai and getting there is simple by public transport. To use public transport, purchase a rechargeable NOL Card at the airport. NOL cards are used in Dubai to pay for buses, Metro, water buses, Dubai tram, and parking in RTA car parks.

The most efficient method is by Metro. Starting at 5.30 am and ending at midnight, services run every 10 minutes from Terminals 1 and 3. However, note that on Friday services don’t begin until 1 pm. Note there is a special “Gold Class” carriage at the front of the train if you want a scenic front window view during your journey. There are also designated carriages for women traveling alone and children.

Despite the distance being only 3 miles, the Metro journey to the city center takes 40 minutes. Because many hotels are situated next to Metro stations, it will be better for you to know where your hotel is and to plan your journey to go straight to that station rather than traveling to the city center. The cost is around $2.

The buses are operated by RTA and depart from bus stands opposite all 3 terminals. A special SkyBus service (also RTA) connects the airport directly to the most popular hotels. You’ll need a NOL Card to ride on a bus. Bus services are every 7 minutes during the day and 20 minutes at night. When the Metro is closed, you can still take a bus. The journey takes a minimum of 1 hour and may be much longer if there’s a traffic jam. The journey costs around $1.

The taxi rank is situated in the ground transportation area of the airport. Taxis driven by men are cream-colored, and taxis driven by women are pink trimmed. The ride into the city costs around $42 and usually takes less than 45 minutes. If you’re traveling with kids or elderly people, taking a taxi might be your best option to get quickly and safely to the hotel doorstep.

If you want the freedom of a hire car, note that there are more car rental companies represented at Terminal 1 Arrivals than at Terminals 2 and 3 Arrivals. You’ll need an International Drivers’ License and passport to hire a vehicle. You can hire a car for as little as $25 per day. Note that you may have to deal with traffic jams. I’d recommend using the Metro or a taxi rather than driving yourself in an unfamiliar city.

Planning Tips

Dubai is a popular destination, and the local people do their best to make visitors feel welcome. However, you’re not in Kansas anymore. Here are 5 tips for a trouble-free visit.

Tip #1: Decide what you want to do before planning when to go to Dubai

The weather is super hot in the summer. There’s a good chance you’ll feel uncomfortable on the beach if you try to visit during summer. Spring and fall are the best times to visit to enjoy the beach. And if you’re mainly interested in sightseeing, why not come in winter? However, note that December through February is the high season in Dubai, so the queues will be long. One thing you must do is a desert safari! There is no better way to see and experience the desert.

Tip #2: Buy unique art and crafts

For unique souvenirs and gifts, visit the souks in Deira. This is the traditional market area in the city, and the Deira Gold Souk is famous.

Tip #3: Be careful not to offend with your clothing

Dubai is a liberal city where 70% of the residents are ex-pats. However, it is still an Islamic city. You don’t have to cover your head or wear traditional Arabic clothes (unless you’re visiting a mosque) but you are expected to be respectful. Avoid showing cleavage and midriff (unless in a nightclub or on a beach). Don’t wear super short shorts or skirts in public places where you’re likely to mix with locals, such as the shopping malls and museums. It’s not that it’s against the law…it’s being respectful of local customs and traditions.

Tip #4: Book in advance, especially during winter

Dubai is an especially popular destination. You won’t get into most nightclubs unless you book in advance. Many popular activities, such as going to the top of the world’s tallest building, can be booked in advance to avoid queues. Reputable tour companies offer refunds for tours tickets canceled with reasonable notice, so you’re not risking much when you book in advance.

Tip #5: Avoid visiting during Ramadan OR be patient and thoughtful

The timing of the month of Ramadan changes every year, but for 2020 it is around 23^rd April through 23^rd May. During Ramadan, you will find that many local people slow down and businesses close in the middle of the day for rests or early at night when the staff are due to break their fast. It is prohibited to eat in public during Ramadan, so you’ll only be able to eat in designated areas. You’ll be expected to dress more modestly during Ramadan and be especially polite.

Restaurants & Eating Out

Dubai is a fantastic place to sample Middle Eastern cuisine. Because of its central location in the Persian Gulf, the local fare is a tasty combination of Arabic, Iranian, and Lebanese food.

For breakfast, you could try margoogat. This is a rich vegetable stew with added Arab spices, such as bezar, cumin, and turmeric. Often made with tomato, squash, and eggplant, Dubaites often eat this dish to end their daily fast during Ramadan. Alternatively, manousheh is a popular breakfast dish from Lebanon composed of dough or flatbread topped with Akkawi cheese, olive oil, and za’atar herbs (thyme, oregano, and marjoram). It’s like a kind of pizza! You can sample Lebanese food like this at Enab Beirut, an eclectic food outlet near Al Khazzan Park.

Makbus, also known as kabsa, is a popular rice dish originating in Saudi Arabia and popular in Dubai. The rice, usually basmati, is mixed with chicken, lamb, or seafood and prepared in large pots with plenty of Arab spices, dried lemon, and salt. A popular restaurant to try this traditional rice dish is Al Barza Restaurant and Café on Jumeirah Street.

If you want to eat a traditional Bedouin dish, why not sample some camel milk and eat camel meat? Camel milk is saltier than cow’s milk but lower in cholesterol, richer in protein, and with more iron and Vitamin C. Dubaite chefs like to use camel’s meat in stews and burgers because of its exotic and robust flavor. You can sample camel steaks, kebabs, and chocolate camel milkshakes in Al Bastakiya Restaurant and Café on Al Fahidi Street.

Dubaite people have their own varieties of bread to eat with their meals. These include khameer, which is a date-sweetened bread you can eat on its own or filled with anything from chicken to cheese. Many eat traditional Iranian sangak, which is a leavened flatbread made from wheat. And main dishes are often accompanied by a zesty salad of cucumber, green onions, tomatoes, and mint called tabbouleh.

Speaking of salads, Dubai actually offers a wide range of traditional vegetarian dishes. Kousa mahshi is zucchini or courgettes stuffed with rice. Shirin polo is a delicious rice dish made from nuts, raisins, carrots, and basmati rice. However, be aware that there’s a non-vegetarian version of shirin polo with chicken added. And fatteh is a popular evening dish consisting of bread covered with chickpeas and topped with yogurt and tahini sauce.

For dessert, try kanafeh. This is a Levantine filo pastry coated in honey or syrup and sprinkled with chopped pistachios. Or assidat al-Boubar is a popular pumpkin porridge with almond flour, butter, sugar, milk, and raisins. And you may be offered luqaimat dumplings made from flour, starch, sugar, and cardamom powder and rolled in syrup.

But no meal is complete without gahwa. This is Arabic coffee offered to guests as an essential matter of hospitality. Unlike western coffee, this is seasoned with cloves and cardamom and tastes more bitter than the varieties you may be accustomed to. You may find it served to you in tiny cups without handles from ornate coffee pots.

Nightlife & Entertainment

Despite being an Islamic city on the edge of the desert, Dubai has an extremely wild and active nightlife with modern superclubs and international DJs. It’s like the Ibiza of the Muslim world. However, there are obviously many legal and cultural restrictions to be aware of.

The nightlife in Dubai starts earlier and ends earlier than in European or American cities. Nightclubs open between 10 pm and 3 am, and they are busy throughout this time with a peak around 1 am. All nightclubs and bars must close by 3 am.

All bars, nightclubs, and restaurants serving alcohol are inside hotel complexes. Legally, only hotels are allowed to serve alcohol.

You’ll find the dress code in the more exclusive nightclubs much stricter than in Europe and America. You won’t get in wearing shorts and crocks. You won’t even gain entry wearing jeans. Bouncers typically refuse entry to large groups of men. Mixed groups of men and women and small groups find easier entry into nightclubs.

To get into many clubs, you must already be on the guest list. So, research the clubs you’re interested in before setting out and make arrangements online using the club’s website or Facebook page. The best way to ensure entry is to reserve a table, but this is expensive.

The legal age to drink is 21 and drinking in the street is illegal. Many clubs only admit people over 25. Patrons must show their passport at the entrance to bars or nightclubs to gain entry. Never drive back to your hotel from a bar, club, or restaurant where you had a drink because if there’s an accident, even if it’s not your fault, you’ll be taken straight to jail. The United Arab Emirates has a zero-tolerance policy toward drink driving.

The busiest nights for nightlife are Thursday and Friday (because Friday is the Islamic Sunday). Tuesday is “ladies’ night” when women gain free entry into clubs and are offered discounts and free drinks. Don’t be too judgmental about “economic tourists”, but the nightclubs of Dubai are renowned for the large number of beautiful Russian women guests. Many are there to work in the businesses of this busy cosmopolitan city, but a few are seeking a wealthy spouse or patron.

You’ll find the nightlife where the hotels congregate, such as Medinat Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. The marina is a great place for romantic restaurant dates followed by an evening stroll along the canal.

Because Dubai is such a “Mecca” for businesspeople around the Middle East to escape the restrictions of their own city and let their hair down, you’ll find literally hundreds of nightclubs and bars. Many you will struggle to enter because they all have relatively low capacities and complete to attract the many millionaires and celebrities who frequent the city. Perhaps avoid the most exclusive nightclubs unless you happen to be a billionaire or movie star.

For example, Armani/Privé is one of the most famous clubs in Dubai and located inside the world’s tallest skyscraper. The dress code is super strict, and the entry and drink prices probably more than you earn in a month. If you do gain entry, you’ll find a raised VIP area, a dance floor, and a balcony overlooking the Dubai Fountain. Oh, and the interior décor was designed by Giorgio Armani.

White Dubai is the largest club in the city and sits on the rooftop of the ultra-modern Meydan Racecourse Grandstand. Here’s where you’ll find such famous names as Jason Derulo, Akon, and Nelly. There are incredible views, amazing light shows, and a dance floor open to the stars. But this is definitely a venue you’ll only get into if you’re on the guest list.

A slightly less exclusive nightclub is the N’Dulge Club in the Atlantis Dubai Hotel on the famous Palm Island artificial island. This superclub features an outdoor terrace and the N’Dulge Arena. The Lounge area operates alongside Nobu, a popular restaurant.

If you’re looking for a bar rather than a nightclub, you’ll find a good selection around the hotels of Dubai. For example, the Lock, Stock & Barrel is a large, New-York-style bar with exposed brick walls and pool tables. They offer live music and TV sports channels. The Treehouse is a rooftop bar with a garden terrace and an ambiance aimed at romantic couples. And Fibber Magee’s is a replica Irish pub designed to make you forget you’re in the desert. Everything is authentically Irish, including the live Irish folk music.

Getting Around

Because of the way Dubai has developed over the past fifty years, there are multiple centers dotted all over the city at considerable distances from one another. This means it’s not convenient to get around on foot. If you want to sightsee, you’ll find it easiest to get around by Metro or bus. To use the Metro, buses, water buses, and the Dubai tram you’ll need a rechargeable NOL Card.

Dubai’s modern Metro is fully automated, so you won’t see any drivers. Most of the Metro lines are above ground, so you’ll get great views of the city while getting around. But the Metro doesn’t reach everywhere. In New Dubai, you’ll sometimes have to use the Dubai Tram. And the Palm Island has its own monorail service.

The public bus service is the most affordable option to get around the city. There are 1,500 air-conditioned buses in the city. They go everywhere and run during the night when the Metro has closed.

It’s always an option to hail a taxi. While they aren’t super expensive, they’re pricier than the bus or the Metro. And, to be honest, you can probably get to most places on the Metro quicker than in a taxi. For ultimate freedom, you can always rent a car. To do this, you’ll require an International Driver’s License, passport, credit card, and insurance.

Accommodations

With its artificial islands and glitzy modern skyscrapers, you might expect Dubai to be an expensive place to stay. Yes, there are many exclusive 5-star luxury hotels and billionaires’ penthouses, but there are also affordable hotels and self-catering apartments suitable for travelers on a budget.

As a general rule, the further south you go, the newer and more expensive the accommodation becomes. Since most of the more interesting attractions are to the north, I’d recommend you stay in one of the Old Neighborhoods or nearby Downtown unless you’re only here for the beaches and nightlife and have a fat billfold.

The Old Neighborhoods

The older parts of the city are where you’ll find traditional butchers and bakers, street food, family restaurants, tailors, cobblers, and older residential buildings. These include Bur Dubai, Deira, Karama, Jumeirah, and Satwa.

In this area, you’ll also find the historic district of Bastakiya where old merchants’ mansions built using coral and mud have barjeel wind towers for natural air-conditioning. Some of these interesting structures now contain cultural centers and museums.

These neighborhoods are old, but they’re not run-down. And although they’re the cultural heart of the city, you’ll find accommodation in these areas generally cheaper than the recently developed areas. If you’re planning to self-cater, this is definitely the best area for you because the shops and markets in the old neighborhoods are cheaper than in the new city.

The Novotel in central Deira provides comfy rooms, tennis courts, and both adults’ and children’s swimming pools within easy walking distance of the Deira Metro Station. This is a good choice for solo women, families, and couples. And if you’re self-catering, consider the highly rated J5 RIMAL Hotel Apartments in Deira. The apartments come with living rooms and kitchenettes, so you can prepare your own meals and cut costs. Some of the higher-spec apartments also offer washing machines.

Business Bay and Downtown Dubai

This is the most central area of Dubai situated around the Dubai Mall between Old Dubai and Dubai Marina. It’s a convenient place to stay for visiting all the attractions because it’s so central and close to both Old Dubai and New Dubai by Metro.

In fact, some of the main attractions are found around the Dubai Mall, like the Dubai Aquarium and Dubai Fountain. Here you’ll find a good selection of restaurants, cafés, and bars as well as some of the more upmarket hotels with a lively nightlife.

Check out hotels like the Vida Downtown Dubai, which offers modern rooms a short walk from the Dubai Mall and Metro Station. The Manzil Downtown Dubai is even closer to the Dubai Mall and Metro and located in the liveliest part of Downtown Dubai.

Mall of the Emirates and Surrounding Area

Here you’ll find cosmopolitan Dubai where the mix of nationalities living and working in this area leads to a diverse range of food outlets and stores. It’s central and convenient for Metro Stations.

If you want to stay in luxury, there are plenty of 5-star options in this area, such as the Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel, with its plush rooms and rooftop pool. But there are still budget options, such as Centro Barsha by Rotana, which offers comfortable rooms within walking distance of the Metro and Mall of the Emirates.

New Dubai

This is that shiny area to the south of the city around Dubai Marina and the famous artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island. This is where some of the glitziest buildings of Dubai are found. It’s the place to go if you want luxury hotels with Michelin-starred chefs and gold-plated faucets.

However, since billionaires and celebrities don’t use the Metro, you won’t find using the Metro so convenient in this area. There are no Metro stations on the artificial islands, for example. Dubai Marina does have a Metro station and offers a promenade for keen joggers and cyclists.

This is a great area to stay if you love beaches and want to spend much of your time sunbathing or swimming. But, the whole of New Dubai is a little distant from the main attractions and the lack of Metro stations makes it inconvenient for sightseeing.

The Movenpick Hotel in Jumeirah Lakes Towers is a 5-star hotel, but it’s one of the more affordable ones in this area. It’s in Dubai Marina, so it’s convenient for the Metro and the beaches. But if you want to stat in this area on a “budget”, consider an apartment at Marina View Deluxe Hotel. I use quotation marks around “budget” because this is the most expensive area, so even the budget options are relatively expensive. All suites come with refrigerators, microwaves, and kitchenettes for self-catering options, and it’s only a short walk from the Dubai Marina and Metro station.

Weather

Dubai has a hot desert climate. Unless you’re from Death Valley, take what you think of as hot and double it to imagine August in Dubai. You might think that swimming in temperatures of 100⁰F sounds great, but by the end of the day, you may envy lobsters. Midwinter temperatures in Dubai are similar to early summer in Massachusetts.

The weather in Dubai is coldest in January, with an average daily high of 75⁰F and a low of 58⁰F. It’s still sunny in winter. It’s not too cold to hit the beach and it’s a great time to go sightseeing. In April, the average high is 91⁰F and low of 70⁰F, which makes spring a perfect time of year for the beach.

It’s hottest in August, with an average high of 106⁰F and low of 87⁰F. In the afternoon, it’s too hot for the beach, but it’s okay before 11 am and late in the evening. By November, the average high drops to 87⁰F and the low is 68⁰F, making the weather much better for the beach.

Attractions

Many come to Dubai to admire the fantastic modern architecture and amazing monuments built over the past few decades, but the city also has a fascinating history.

The Dubai museum is a great place to visit to learn all about Dubai’s past. The museum is housed inside the Al-Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in the city built in 1787. The fort’s construction is entirely traditional using locally sourced materials. The walls are coral blocks cemented together with lime, and the ceilings are made from palm fronds and mud.

Inside the museum, you can learn about Dubaite cultural history through exhibitions like the traditional boats and palm-leaf house with a barjeel wind tower. Discover about Bedouin desert life and coastal pearl fishing. You’ll find the museum in the Bur Dubai area of the Old City.

In the nearby Bastakia Quarter, you can see historic homes built in the 19^th century for wealthy Iranian merchants who came here to deal in textiles and pearls. The traditional buildings are built from coral and lime and feature barjeel wind towers that provided natural air-conditioning.

The best-known house is one built for Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum, former ruler of Dubai. The building is considered an excellent example of Arabian architecture and now houses The Dubai Museum of Historical Photographs and Documents.

On the opposite side of Dubai Creek is the area of Deira. Here’s where you’ll find the traditional souks (markets) including the Deira Gold Souk, the biggest gold bazaar in the world. There are many historic houses in this part of the Old City including Heritage House, an Iranian merchant’s house from 1890, and the Al-Ahmadiya School of 1912, which is the Museum of Public Education.

Among these historic neighborhoods is an amazing modern building called the Dubai Frame. This is a series of galleries exploring the history of Dubai housed inside a building shaped like a 492-feet-high picture frame. The empty frame is intended to “frame” both the Old City and the New City as it frames one or the other depending upon where you stand in relation to the frame.

And there are many new buildings in Downtown and New Dubai, including the iconic Burj al-Arab, which is the world’s tallest hotel. The hotel stands on its own artificial island and is shaped like a dhow sail. Its underwater Al-Mahara restaurant enables diners to view the surrounding sea life while they eat, while the Skyview Bar at the top of the hotel provides fantastic panoramic views of the city.

But the most famous building in the city is the 2722-feet-high Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest skyscraper in the world. Much like outside the Empire State Building in NYC, tourists queue to visit the observation deck on the 124^th floor. To avoid a long wait, buy your “At the Top” entrance ticket in advance.

Many visitors to Dubai come to admire its huge shopping malls. The Dubai Mall is an interesting place to visit not only for the stores. It houses one of the most popular attractions in Dubai—the Dubai Aquarium. The aquarium features 140 species of sea life inside a huge tank on the ground floor of the mall. You can enter the Underwater Zoo to view this tank from underneath through aquarium tunnels.

If you want to get out of the city, the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is an interesting place to visit. There you’ll find bird and animal observation platforms and other attractions. At night, the Dubai Astronomy Group holds stargazing events in the reserve because the remote desert location boasts low light pollution.