Family & kids Updated 28 July 2026
Aquaventure or Wild Wadi, Which Water Park
Aquaventure or Wild Wadi? I compare Dubai's two big water parks on rides, small kids, beach access, queues and cabana costs to find which is worth a full day.
Our guides
Everything you need to know about Dubai, sorted by topic, from attractions to the desert.
Attractions & tickets
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Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Everything you need to know about Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo inside Dubai Mall: the free walkway view versus the ticket, the tunnel, add ons, and visiting with kids.
Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai Miracle Garden, and When It Is Open
Everything about Dubai Miracle Garden: when it is open, what the flower displays look like, the butterfly garden next door, and how to get there without a car.
Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Global Village Dubai, a Seasonal Night Out
Global Village Dubai is the city's best-value night out: country pavilions, street food and shows. Here's when it runs, what to eat and how much to budget.
Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Ski Dubai, Snow Inside a Shopping Mall
Skiing indoors in a Dubai mall sounds mad until you do it. Here is Ski Dubai explained: snow park versus slope pass, gear, penguins, beginners and how cold it gets.
Attractions & tickets Updated 8 May 2026
Burj Khalifa Tickets Guide: At the Top, SKY and Best Times
How to choose Burj Khalifa tickets: At the Top on 124 and 125 versus SKY on 148, sunset versus day, prime-hour pricing, and every tip to book the tallest building in the world right.
Neighborhoods & areas Updated 9 April 2026
Palm Jumeirah: The Island, the Monorail and Whether to Stay There
An artificial palm shaped peninsula with a trunk, sixteen fronds and a crescent of resorts: how it is laid out, what is open to visitors, and the trade off in staying on it.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 26 February 2026
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: Which One, or Both
They are ninety minutes apart and they are not the same city: one is louder, faster and built for visitors, the other is the capital and takes itself more seriously.
Attractions & tickets Updated 14 February 2026
The Museum of the Future: A Building With No Corners
A silver torus covered in Arabic calligraphy, with an interior that is part exhibition and part immersive theatre: what is inside, why it sells out, and who it suits.
Attractions & tickets Updated 9 February 2026
Top 15 Things to Do in Dubai (and How to Book Them)
The 15 attractions worth your time in Dubai, from the Burj Khalifa and the desert to Old Dubai and the waterparks, with honest tips on what to book ahead and what to skip.
Attractions & tickets Updated 8 February 2026
The Dubai Frame: A Gold Picture Frame With a Glass Floor
One side looks at the old city, the other at the towers, and the bridge between them has a floor you can see through: what the visit is and whether it is worth it.
Attractions & tickets Updated 2 February 2026
The Dubai Fountain: Where to Stand and When to Go
The free show at the foot of the Burj Khalifa runs every half hour into the evening: the good viewing spots, the ones that cost money, and how to avoid the crush.
Practical & planning Updated 14 January 2026
First Time in Dubai: The Only Guide You Need
Planning your first trip to Dubai? Here is when to go, which area to stay in, how the visa works for your passport, how to get around, what to book ahead, and the local etiquette that saves you trouble.
Desert & safari
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Desert & safari Updated 27 April 2026
Al Qudra Lakes: The Desert You Can Drive To
Man made lakes in the sand with flamingos, oryx and a long cycle track, forty minutes from the city and free: the do it yourself alternative to a desert safari.
Desert & safari Updated 10 March 2026
Desert Safari: Morning or Evening, and What You Are Actually Booking
The same dunes, two completely different trips: dune bashing and sandboarding in the cool of the morning, or a camp, a barbecue and a show after sunset.
Desert & safari Updated 5 March 2026
Dubai Desert Safari Guide: Types, Tips and What to Book
Everything you need to choose the right Dubai desert safari: morning versus evening, dune bashing, camel rides, camp dinners and premium options, plus what to wear and what to book ahead.
Neighborhoods & areas
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Neighborhoods & areas Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai Marina and JBR, a Neighbourhood Guide
Dubai Marina and JBR up close: the marina walk, JBR beach and strip, boat trips and the wheel, where to eat, and whether it works as a base in Dubai.
Neighborhoods & areas Updated 9 April 2026
Palm Jumeirah: The Island, the Monorail and Whether to Stay There
An artificial palm shaped peninsula with a trunk, sixteen fronds and a crescent of resorts: how it is laid out, what is open to visitors, and the trade off in staying on it.
Neighborhoods & areas Updated 2 April 2026
Where to Stay in Dubai: Best Areas by Neighborhood
A clear breakdown of where to stay in Dubai, Downtown, Marina, JBR, Palm Jumeirah and Old Dubai, matched to your budget, your trip style and how much you want on your doorstep.
Neighborhoods & areas Updated 20 February 2026
Old Dubai: The Creek, the Souks and the Wind Tower Quarter
The half of Dubai that existed before the towers: gold and spice souks, a saltwater creek crossed by wooden boats, and a restored neighbourhood of coral stone houses.
Beaches & resorts
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Beaches & resorts Updated 28 July 2026
The Best Beaches in Dubai, Public and Private
My honest guide to the best beaches in Dubai, public and private: free beaches with facilities, day-pass hotel beaches, water temperature by season, and calm spots for kids.
Neighborhoods & areas Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai Marina and JBR, a Neighbourhood Guide
Dubai Marina and JBR up close: the marina walk, JBR beach and strip, boat trips and the wheel, where to eat, and whether it works as a base in Dubai.
Beaches & resorts Updated 3 April 2026
Kite Beach and the Jumeirah Shoreline
A free public beach with a running track, food trucks and the Burj Al Arab on the horizon: what Kite Beach is, who it suits, and the other Jumeirah stretches worth knowing.
Family & kids
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Shopping & markets Updated 4 August 2026
Dubai Summer Surprises: Sales, Shows and Beating the August Heat
Dubai Summer Surprises turns Dubai's hottest months into the cheapest time to shop. Here is when DSS runs, where the real bargains are, and how to beat 45C heat.
Family & kids Updated 28 July 2026
Aquaventure or Wild Wadi, Which Water Park
Aquaventure or Wild Wadi? I compare Dubai's two big water parks on rides, small kids, beach access, queues and cabana costs to find which is worth a full day.
Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Everything you need to know about Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo inside Dubai Mall: the free walkway view versus the ticket, the tunnel, add ons, and visiting with kids.
Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai Miracle Garden, and When It Is Open
Everything about Dubai Miracle Garden: when it is open, what the flower displays look like, the butterfly garden next door, and how to get there without a car.
Family & kids Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai With Kids, a Practical Family Guide
Dubai with kids is genuinely easy if you plan around the heat. My practical family guide covers indoor attractions, calm beaches, stroller-friendly malls and pacing your day.
Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Ski Dubai, Snow Inside a Shopping Mall
Skiing indoors in a Dubai mall sounds mad until you do it. Here is Ski Dubai explained: snow park versus slope pass, gear, penguins, beginners and how cold it gets.
Food & dining
See the category
Food & dining Updated 29 July 2026
Dubai Food Guide: What to Eat and Where
What to eat in Dubai: Emirati dishes most visitors never find, the shawarma and karak habit, the old-city food streets, how brunch works, and where the value actually is.
Food & dining Updated 28 July 2026
Dubai Brunch: How It Works and Which to Pick
Dubai brunch explained for first-timers: how hotel brunches work, family versus party sittings, price tiers, dress codes, alcohol rules and how to book.
Food & dining Updated 28 July 2026
Vegetarian and Vegan in Dubai
How to eat vegetarian and vegan in Dubai: naturally meat-free Indian and Levantine food, dedicated vegan kitchens, supermarket finds, and asking about ghee and stock.
Food & dining Updated 16 March 2026
Dubai on a Budget: Street Food and Cheap Eats
The city has a reputation for expensive brunches and a reality of shawarma, biryani and fresh juice for the price of a coffee: where to eat cheaply and well.
Shopping & markets
See the category Shopping & markets Updated 4 August 2026
Dubai Summer Surprises: Sales, Shows and Beating the August Heat
Dubai Summer Surprises turns Dubai's hottest months into the cheapest time to shop. Here is when DSS runs, where the real bargains are, and how to beat 45C heat.
Shopping & markets Updated 28 July 2026
Shopping in Dubai, Malls, Souks and Outlets
Where to shop in Dubai and what is actually worth buying: the two giant malls, the outlet centres, the gold and spice souks, plus the tax refund for visitors.
Attractions & tickets Updated 28 July 2026
Global Village Dubai, a Seasonal Night Out
Global Village Dubai is the city's best-value night out: country pavilions, street food and shows. Here's when it runs, what to eat and how much to budget.
Neighborhoods & areas Updated 20 February 2026
Old Dubai: The Creek, the Souks and the Wind Tower Quarter
The half of Dubai that existed before the towers: gold and spice souks, a saltwater creek crossed by wooden boats, and a restored neighbourhood of coral stone houses.
Real estate & investment
See the category
Real estate & investment Updated 11 June 2026
Dubai Property Guide: Buying and Investing as a Foreigner
A clear, factual guide to buying property in Dubai as a foreigner: freehold areas, the purchase process, fees, rental yields, the Golden Visa, and the risks to weigh before you invest.
Real estate & investment Updated 28 March 2026
Property and the UAE Golden Visa: What It Is and What It Is Not
A long term residence permit tied to a qualifying property investment: how the route works in outline, what it does not give you, and why the detail must come from the source.
Real estate & investment Updated 22 March 2026
Off Plan or Ready: Two Very Different Ways to Buy in Dubai
Buying a building that does not exist yet, on a payment plan, versus buying one you can walk into today: the trade offs, the protections and the questions to ask.
Ready-made itineraries
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Ready-made itineraries Updated 28 July 2026
Three Days in Dubai, a Complete Itinerary
My tried and tested three days in Dubai itinerary, mixing the Burj Khalifa and Downtown with the old creek souks, a desert evening and a beach morning, travel times included.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 21 April 2026
A Dubai Layover: What You Can Actually Do With the Hours
Four hours, eight hours or overnight: whether to leave the airport at all, what fits into the time, and the visa question that decides it.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 15 April 2026
Five Days in Dubai, Old City Included
A plan that gives the towers two days, the old city one, the desert one and the beach one, with the bookings that need doing before you fly.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 26 February 2026
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: Which One, or Both
They are ninety minutes apart and they are not the same city: one is louder, faster and built for visitors, the other is the capital and takes itself more seriously.
Practical & planning
See the category Shopping & markets Updated 4 August 2026
Dubai Summer Surprises: Sales, Shows and Beating the August Heat
Dubai Summer Surprises turns Dubai's hottest months into the cheapest time to shop. Here is when DSS runs, where the real bargains are, and how to beat 45C heat.
Practical & planning Updated 29 July 2026
Dubai Visa and Entry Rules, Passport by Passport
How entering Dubai works: who gets a visa on arrival, who applies in advance, passport validity, what customs actually restricts, and the rules that surprise first-time visitors.
Practical & planning Updated 7 July 2026
Best Time to Visit Dubai: Season by Season Guide
When to visit Dubai: the cool winter high season, the scorching summer, the shoulder months, and how heat, crowds, prices, Ramadan and big events should shape your dates.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 21 April 2026
A Dubai Layover: What You Can Actually Do With the Hours
Four hours, eight hours or overnight: whether to leave the airport at all, what fits into the time, and the visa question that decides it.
Real estate & investment Updated 28 March 2026
Property and the UAE Golden Visa: What It Is and What It Is Not
A long term residence permit tied to a qualifying property investment: how the route works in outline, what it does not give you, and why the detail must come from the source.
Practical & planning Updated 4 March 2026
Renting a Car in Dubai: Licences, Tolls and the Deposit
Driving here is easy, cheap and heavily automated: the licence rules by nationality, how Salik tolls and speed cameras work, and the deposit that surprises everyone.
Practical & planning Updated 27 January 2026
The Dubai Metro, Tram and Everything Else That Moves
A driverless metro along the spine of the city, a tram at the Marina, abras across the Creek and taxis for the gaps: how to get around Dubai without renting a car.
Practical & planning Updated 21 January 2026
Getting from Dubai Airport to Your Hotel
Two airports, three terminals and four sensible ways into the city: what the metro, taxis, ride hailing and hotel transfers actually cost you in time and hassle.
Practical & planning Updated 15 January 2026
Travel Insurance for Dubai: What the Cheap Policies Leave Out
Healthcare here is private and billed, and the activities people actually book are the ones basic policies exclude: dune bashing, quad bikes, diving and hire cars.
Practical & planning Updated 14 January 2026
First Time in Dubai: The Only Guide You Need
Planning your first trip to Dubai? Here is when to go, which area to stay in, how the visa works for your passport, how to get around, what to book ahead, and the local etiquette that saves you trouble.
Practical & planning Updated 9 January 2026
Emergency Numbers in Dubai and What to Do Before You Need Them
Police 999, ambulance 998, fire 997 and the non emergency line 901: the numbers to save, how hospitals and pharmacies work, and the laws visitors get caught by.
Common questions
How many Dubai guides are on the site?
The site has 41 guides covering all of Dubai: attractions and tickets (Burj Khalifa, the fountains, desert safari), neighborhoods and hotels, beaches, shopping, food and practical planning. All are updated regularly.
Which guide should I start planning with?
Start with the general planning guide and "when to visit Dubai", then move on to the attractions guide, the desert safari, and the neighborhoods and hotels guide that suits your budget and style.
How many days do you need for a Dubai trip?
Three to four days is enough for the main attractions, a desert safari and a beach or shopping day. Five days or more lets you add a day trip to Abu Dhabi, the water parks and some lesser-known neighborhoods at an easy pace.
Is Dubai good for families?
Yes. Dubai is safe and exceptionally clean, and very family friendly with parks, beaches and air-conditioned malls. It also works well for couples and luxury trips. Distances are large, so plan each day by area.