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Family holidays in
Dubai

If you’re thinking about the Middle East, chances are family holidays to Dubai are at the top of that list. Regularly named the World’s Number 1 Tourism Destination in Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards, Dubai is both a city and the second largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates – only Abu Dhabi is larger.

Reliably warm and sunny weather from October to March makes Dubai winter sun holidays a given. However, in recent years the emirate has pushed hard to expand its reputation as a year round family holiday destination, with even the most luxurious resorts offering great value deals on accommodation, and incentives like ‘kids stay and eat free’ now almost standard from May through to September: by far the hottest months to visit Dubai.

Dubai is nothing if not acclimatised to its summer weather. So even during July and August, there are plenty of things to do with kids and a wide range of indoor family attractions, along with incredible waterparks and temperature-controlled pools, as well as a switch to family-friendly activities in the evening, when it’s slightly cooler.

In winter, when temperatures are like summer in Europe, outdoor adventures become a big part of family holidays to Dubai. You’ll find everything from water sports to family-friendly beach clubs on the emirate’s beautiful Arabian Gulf beaches. The desert is another playground where kids can discover falconry, camel trekking and even traditional Bedouin culture. And Dubai does peaks too, and one of the best ways to enjoy them with children is to spend time kayaking at Hatta Dam in the Hajar Mountains.

Travel Information

Direct UK flights to Dubai

from 7 hours

Jet lag

minimal to non-existent

Time difference

4 hours ahead of UK

Passport

UK passports must be within 6 months of expiry date on departure

Currency

UAD (United Arab Emirates dirham)

Things to do in Dubai

Desert Adventures

Dazzling downtown Dubai lies less than 40 minutes drive away from the desert

The desert weaves another adventure into family holidays to Dubai. Camel rides over dunes are unforgettable, and traditional Bedouin evenings under desert skies bring a whole new meaning to stargazing.

Family Beaches

Family beach holidays in Dubai mean miles of flawless sand along the Arabian Gulf

Dubai is home to eight public beaches, including fun Kite Beach. Also, several luxury hotels in Dubai have private beaches, and many offer beach club day-passes, so even non-guests can experience the luxe.

Water Sports

With the warm Arabian Gulf in play, it's no surprise that water sports in Dubai are big

The average water temperature in Dubai is 30° so it’s ideal for water sports. Anything from diving to wakeboarding is possible on the Gulf, and kayaking at Hatta Dam is great fun with younger kids.

Heritage

Looking at it today, it might be hard to believe that Dubai is over 1,000 years old

Take time out on family holidays to Dubai to discover its history from pearl fishing to boat building. Start in Al Fahidi Historical District or cruise along atmospheric Dubai Creek on a traditional dhow.

Shopping

Malls in Dubai could even convince your kids a day of shopping is good fun

Dubai Mall is one of the largest in the world and home to an ice rink, zoo and aquarium: shopping in Dubai is about the experience. And you’ll find more proof of that in the city’s historic gold and textile souks.

Eating

Child-friendly restaurants in Dubai enjoy a culinary sub-sector all of their own

Eating out in Dubai with kids is easy thanks to the ever-growing number of family restaurants which range from relaxed and local Lime Tree Café to the best of British at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen.

Where to stay in Dubai

Dubai might be best known for its wildly extravagant hotels, but that’s far from the only option for families

Home to the world’s most ultra-luxurious resort, family holidays to Dubai can be very high-end, and they can also work a budget. Many quality, mid-range hotel brands now offer good value in Dubai year-round. Or, if you prefer independence,  apartment and villa rentals are becoming increasingly popular with families.

Top Dubai Attractions

Places to visit in Dubai

Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah may be the world's most famous manmade island

Another remarkable feat of engineering, Palm Jumeirah is also one of the best bases for family holidays to Dubai. Not only does it float in the Arabian Gulf so almost everywhere is beachy, it’s home to several iconic luxury resorts too, including Atlantis, The Palm. But even if you aren’t staying here, visit for the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk and at least one sunny day on Palm West Beach.

Dubai Marina

Dubai's waterfront city is officially one of its coolest districts

Dubai Marina is home Dubai Marina Mall which houses an indoor theme park, cinema and a Waitrose (this is a good district to rent holiday apartments). Out of the Marina’s 200-plus restaurants, many are made for families. And one of the area’s best loved features is the café, restaurant and shop-lined Marina Walk which stretches from Dubai Marina Mall to Bluewaters and is long enough to justify a water bus ride.

Downtown Dubai

The heart of the city and home to some Dubai's biggest icons

Downtown Dubai is where you’ll find Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Fountain and Dubai Mall. It’s a must-see for all those reasons and more, but probably not the best district to stay in with kids: sky high hotel architecture and prices to match are the Downtown vibe. Although you won’t find budget accommodation here, Business Bay is a close neighbour and one of the few very central districts with a good selection of four-star hotels.

Jumeirah

The coastal district for big beaches, cute cafés and affordable hotelsBe

Two of Dubai’s best known public beaches are in Jumeirah: Kite Beach and Nessnass Beach, but it’s also the district for J1 Beach. When you spot off-beat cafés and luxe indie designer shops on Instagram, there’s a high chance they’re at home in Jumeirah. Five-star luxury resorts are many here too: Four Seasons Dubai is a local resident. But Jumeirah also does a nice line in affordable family hotels, and has two properties by Rove, Dubai’s home-grown budget hotel brand.

Deira

Deira is the Dubai neighbourhood for atmospheric souks

Set on the northeast side of Dubai Creek, Deira is the district where the water throngs with colourful dhow and super-malls give way to historic markets. The legendary Gold Souk and Spice Souk are here, and it’s the neighbourhood to find restaurants more about local cooking than Michelin Stars: it’s one of the best places for street food. Cool down the heritage for kids with a visit to GLITCH, then take it up again by catching an Abra ferry across the Creek.

Al Fahidi Historic District

Dubai takes a step back to the 19th century in Al Fahidi

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is probably the last thing you’d expect in Dubai: a well preserved mid-19th century district where you can wander atmospheric streets and alleys, discover remarkable forts and explore traditional architecture that’s as striking in its own way as Downtown Dubai icons. Art galleries, specialist museums, and charming local restaurants are another reason to visit. And don’t miss events like Heritage Week.

Weather in Dubai

Dubai has an arid desert climate and only two distinct seasons. Summer, from May to September, is extremely hot with average temperatures around 40°, dropping to 30° overnight: August is the hottest month of the year. In winter, October to April, warm and sunny weather is similar to summer in southern Europe with temperatures of 24° in January making it the coldest month of the year. Average water temperatures in Dubai range from 22 to 28° year-round.

October - February

36°C - 25°C

March - June

28°C - 39°C

July - September

41°C - 39°C

Hot Destinations

Best time to visit Dubai

Winter is best for family holidays to Dubai as it’s sunny practically every day and not too hot (expect highs of 24° in January). Although this is also the most expensive time to visit and hotel rates are at their highest. If you have pre-schoolers, late February to mid-April gives you hot-but-not-too-hot weather and the highest chance of holiday deals. Summer is by far the cheapest season in Dubai, but the heat (highs of 40°+ in July and August) can be challenging, especially for younger children.

Dubai travel advice

Direct UK flights to Dubai take from 7 hours, 15 minutes and Dubai is 4 hours ahead of the UK. Jet lag is minimal to non-existent, and you’ll find direct flights year-round from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, as well as Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle.

Facts About Dubai

Population of Dubai

The population of Dubai is around 3.6 million and people from over 200 different nationalities live and work here.

Dubai Airport

The busiest international airport in the world with over 90 million passengers annually and 6,500 flights each week.

Part of the UAE

Dubai is both a city and an emirate, and one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates.

World record holder

Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world's tallest building, and Deep Dive Dubai is the world's deepest swimming pool.

Who rules in Dubai?

The Al Maktoum tribe established Dubai as a small fishing village in 1833 and have ruled here ever since.

Frequently asked questions about Dubai

Family holidays to Dubai are cheapest in the hottest summer months, particularly July and August. Many hotels, restaurants and family attractions lower their rates and offer special deals like ‘kids stay and eat free’ during UK school summer holidays.

Dubai is listed as one of the world’s safest travel destinations on Numbeo, it has low crime rates, in part due to extremely strict laws, and also operates a zero-tolerance policy on public drunkenness.

Dubai ranks in the top five safest countries worldwide for solo female travellers. In addition to its strict laws, there are women-only areas in the Dubai Metro and taxi services available with female drivers. Ladies-only beach days at Al Mamzar Beach Park welcome female tourists and children (including boys up to age six) and are staffed exclusively by women.

After London, Dubai has more five-star hotels than anywhere else in the world. However, you’ll also find quality budget brands like Ibis and Rove here too. Michelin-starred restaurants are another Dubai signature, but in districts like Deira, traditional Emirati cooking and street food costs very little. Public beaches are clean and well maintained, and getting about on Dubai Metro is easy and affordable.

Dubai is hugely popular with Emirati families and generally considered to be very child-friendly. Most major attractions are designed for families, there’s a wide choice of family hotels with excellent kids’ clubs and activities, and staff everywhere from restaurants and resorts to shops, are especially warm and friendly with children.

Taxis in Dubai cost less than in most major cities (about 40p per km) and, although it’s a bit more expensive, Uber charges a flat rate which can work out cheaper depending on the time of day. Dubai Metro connects all the main districts and serves Dubai International Airport, and buying a rechargeable Nol Card is one way to save on transport while you’re on holiday.

Arabic is the official language in Dubai, but most people speak English as it’s the international business language in the UAE. Street signs are normally in Arabic and English and most family attractions have signage in multiple languages.

There are few strict dress rules in Dubai, and mostly common sense applies, for example, keep swimwear for the beach or pool. If you’re visiting heritage sites, dress respectfully: no shorts or sandals and wear tops with sleeves and below-knee skirts. Several mosques welcome visitors, and again, you should dress respectfully: keep legs, ankles and arms covered. Women are also required to wear scarves over their hair, and some mosques let you borrow abaya.

Visiting Dubai during Ramadan can be an amazing experience, especially in the evenings when celebrations after sunset are held all over the city. It’s a great time for kids to experience traditional local culture, and there are very few restrictions placed on tourists. Just be aware it is the most important period in the Muslim calendar and respect those who are observing Ramadan.

Tourists can drink alcohol in restaurants, bars, hotels and holiday apartments. You won’t find alcohol on sale in supermarkets, it’s only sold at licensed stores like MMI which also offers a home delivery service. Drinking alcohol outdoors in Dubai or in public places is forbidden.

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