Where to stay in Dubai? Check our guide featuring the best areas to stay in the wealthiest and most famous of the United Arab Emirates
Are you planning to visit Dubai? Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai and why this Emirate is one of the most amazing places to visit in the world.
The internet is full of pictures comparing Dubai 60 years ago and now. Well, the city has changed drastically indeed. From a desert with literally just a few multi-storey buildings, it has turned into a shiny city of future. Now, standing on the ground where almost nothing grows, this Emirate has its parks with grass and attempts to make the environment conditions more friendly.
Tourism in Dubai
What can one expect from a rich country in the Middle East? Let’s start from the fact that among all of the emirates, Dubai is the most liberal one. Once, it was rich because of its oil, but now, most of its profit, the city makes from the services and tourism industry. So, yes, tourists are always welcome here, any time of the year. Actually, of the total population of over 3 million people, just 13% are UAE nationals.
Dubai also benefits from its excellent geographic location. Right in the crossroads between West and East, Dubai receives a huge amount of transit visitors connecting flights in the Dubai Airport. Emirates, the biggest airline in the UAE, is also one of the biggest in the world and connects the Emirate to the most big cities in the world.
If you are flying to Dubai, click here to check and compare flights on Jetradar. Alternatively, book directly with Emirates or flydubai
, a low cost company of the United Arab Emirates.
If you are just visiting Dubai for a connecting flight, check Lounge Pass to book a lounge at the Dubai Airport. For those staying for longer and looking to rent a car, check RentalCars.com.
The Best Places to Stay in Dubai
Dubai is a very long city, with more than 40 km from end to end along its shores. For tourists, it is always better to stay closer to the coast as that’s the area where most of the fun happens. However, for those who don’t put the seaside into priority, deep concrete jungles with a peaceful atmosphere can be a good option.
Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah is probably the most beautiful area in the city. Everything is here, the view, the water, the entertainment. It goes live 24/7. This is the place where world-wide famous Burj Al Arab is located. You can also visit a little ski resort at Mall of the Emirates.
The metro is always near and the tram goes straight to the beach, which is, actually, the most popular in Dubai. Hence, it is always and always crowded. However, the beaches belonging to hotel properties are cleaner and more spacious. In Jumeirah, you can also get on a yacht tour and see how beautiful the city looks from the gulf.
Downtown
This area looks luxurious and it is such indeed. So, staying here might shake your wallet a bit. The most iconic sight in Downtown is the Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest building in the world. You can really feel its mightiness and visit one of its observation decks, which offer unforgettable views to the city.
If you want to book tickets to visit the observation deck in the Burj Khalifa, buy it here on GetYourGuide.
In Downtown you can also find The Dubai Fountain. In the evenings (and also for a short time during the day), you can spectate an unbelievable show of music, light, and water. The Dubai Mall, one of the biggest shopping malls in the world, is also in this area.
Dubai Marina
Finally, the Marina area is also one of the best places to stay in the city. Its a great place to go for a stroll along its artificial canal, and it offers great accommodation options. The Marina Mall is a great place for shopping and entertainment in the area. The Dubai Marina is also well connected to other parts of the city by the metro.
Reasonably Priced Accommodation in Dubai – $$
Rove Dubai Marina – a great hotel in the Marina area.
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay – an excellent option in one of the best areas to stay in Dubai, close to the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa.
Luxurious Hotels in Dubai – $$$
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – one of the most iconic hotels in the Emirate.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach – a luxurious hotel with easy access to the Jumeirah Beach.
Cost of Travel in Dubai
As for the budget, it is easy to understand that Dubai isn’t a cheap place to hang out. For example, a glass of beer in a bar is generally around $10. Besides, as a tourist, you can have alcoholic beverages only in bars, pubs, or restaurants and the duty free.
Dubai is known for its sophistication and luxury, with many restaurants and venues constantly competing for excellence. Some of the best chefs in the world work in this city, trying to reward their customers with the most delicious tastes of all cuisines. While there many luxurious restaurants, you can also find inexpensive meals and snacks in Dubai.
Transportation in Dubai is cheaper than most big cities in North America and Western Europe. Taxis are an excellent and affordable way to get around. The driverless metro system is also a great option and the ticket prices are affordable. A day pass costs 40 AED, or roughly 10 USD.
When to Visit the United Arab Emirates?
Being a part of a Muslim country, once a year, Dubai has a special period lasting for about a month called “Ramadan”. That is a pretty quiet time in the whole state: restricted hours of eating and drinking outside, no loud music till the sun sets, and other important rules regarding also smoking and alcohol consumption.
Now that you’re clear with this, remember that the best time to visit the UAE is spring and autumn. Winter may also be a good idea, with January having a average mean temperature of 18.9 C (66 F), but it can be quite windy. Summer is extremely hot and is definitely not the best time for visiting the country.
Other Resources for Traveling the Middle East
If you are travelling to the Middle East you may want to check some of our guides to the region. Check where to stay in Doha and the top things to do in a Doha layover.
Are you travelling to the United Arab Emirates or you area already in the country? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comment box below.